China dismisses groundless Filipino accusation over new Huangyan nature reserve

Beijing does not accept Manila's groundless accusation and the so-called protest over the establishment of the Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve, China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, urging Manila to stop infringement and provocation.

The scope of the Philippines' territory has long been defined by several international treaties, and it has never included Huanyan Island, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a daily news conference.

The Philippines should stop hyping up the issue, and refrain from complicating the situation at sea, he stressed.

Establishing the Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve is within China's sovereignty, and is part of efforts to protect the ecological environment of the island and ensure a diverse, stable and sustainable ecosystem there, Lin noted.

This move is in line with both China's domestic laws and international law, and as a responsible major country, China is resolved to actively protect the environment and promote sustainable development, he added.