PHL protests China e-Passport with West Philippine Sea map

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 22): PHL protests China e-Passport with West Philippine Sea map

The Philippines has protested China’s new passport that includes a map of the entire South China Sea, of which Beijing is asserting ownership, calling it “unacceptable” and a violation of the country's sovereignty. In its boldest assertion to date, Beijing unveiled its new e-Passport that features a map of the South China Sea, where the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have competing claims. “The Philippines strongly protests the inclusion of the nine-dash lines in the e-Passport as such image covers an area that is clearly part of the Philippines’ territory and maritime domain,” said Manila’s note verbale or diplomatic note to China which was read by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario to the media. In its protest, which was transmitted to the Chinese Embassy on Wednesday, Manila accused Beijing of violating a non-aggression pact that China signed with the Association of Southrast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which calls on all claimants “to refrain from actions that complicate and escalate the dispute.” “The Philippines demands that China respect the territory and maritime domain of the Philippines,” the protest letter said. It also reiterated that the West Philippine Sea, including “the waters, islands, rocks and other maritime features in its continental shelf within the 200-nautical mile from the baselines form an integral part of the Philippine territory and maritime jurisdiction.”.....

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=473944