China publishes new sea maps

MANILA, Philippines - China has published new maps highlighting islands and areas in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) not featured in its previous maps, a report by the China state-run news agency Xinhua said.

The report said China has inked for the first time South China Sea islands on its new official maps in a scale equal to that of the Chinese mainland.

The National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation (NASMG) said the new vertical-format maps of China, published by Sinomaps Press, include more than 130 islands and islets in the West Philippine Sea, mostly not featured in previous maps.

The old maps, which were in horizontal format, only featured the bigger islands like the Paracels (Xisha), Macclesfield Bank (Zhongsha), and Spratlys (Nansha).

The new maps will not be available to the public until the end of January.

Xu Gencai, chief editor of Sinomaps Press, said the maps would be significant in enhancing the Chinese’s awareness of their national territory, safeguarding their country’s marine rights and interests, and manifesting China’s political diplomatic stance.

Xu said the new vertical maps have clearly marked the major South China Sea islands and demonstrated their geographic relations with surrounding island countries, as well as surrounding islands and islets.

Xinhua also reported that a new Chinese think tank focusing on the country’s marine affairs was launched last Friday.

The report said the China Association of Marine Affairs (CAMA), made up of more than 200 representatives of relevant oceanic authorities and research institutions, colleges and companies, would become an important adviser for China’s marine development.

The think tank aims to contribute to the research and decision-making on China’s marine affairs and help facilitate academic exchange and provide consultation for the central authorities and government departments dealing with marine affairs.

Meanwhile, China’s manned submersible Jiaolong is set to conduct experimental missions in the West Philippine Sea in May and June.

The Chinese government will also launch this year a survey to formulate a blueprint for maritime development and social construction on the islands, including disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea.

Xinhua reported that an announcement was made during a national conference on maritime affairs last Thursday, about the Chinese authorities’ plan to send the Jiaolong to survey the international seabed for polymetallic nodule ore in the northeast Pacific Ocean.

The report said the circular on the survey on the resources of China’s territorial islands was issued during the conference.