The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterating sovereignty claim over
islands in the South China Sea.

MOFA also stressing that any disputes in the area "should be resolved
peacefully in accordance with international law and the law of the sea."

And the ministry is also insisting that "Taiwan should be included in
multilateral dispute settlement mechanisms."

The Foreign Ministry's comments come after the Philippines deposited its
official nautical chart of Scarborough Shoal with the United Nations last
week to reinforce its claim over the atoll, which lies roughly 220-kilometers
from the west coast of central Luzon Island.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement saying
"the deposit was made pursuant to Article 16 of the 1982 United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea."

The Philippine claim also is also backed by a 2016 ruling by the
International Court of Justice which favors the Philippines.

The court also further determined that major elements of China’s
claim—including its nine-dash line, recent land reclamation activities, and
other activities in Philippine waters—were unlawful.

Scarborough Shoal is claimed by Taiwan, China and the Philippines.

China's Foreign Ministry said last week it will not accept the Philippines'
establishment of baselines around Scarborough Shoal, calling the move
"illegal and invalid."