LIST: Philippine vs Chinese names of West PH Sea features

A total of 131 Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) features will be given local names, as ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to strengthen control and sovereignty in Palawan and the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Under Executive Order No. 111, issued on March 26, the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) is tasked to produce and publish updated charts and maps reflecting the official names.

China, however, accused the Philippines of violating international law and threatened “measures” to protect its sovereignty.

The Philippine Navy’s Office of Naval Strategic Studies and Strategy Management (ONSSSM) has released a primer on the WPS listing Philippine and Chinese names of several South China Sea features.

Records indicate that there are about 250 islands, atolls, and shoals throughout the South China Sea, according to the Philippine Navy.

Most of these features are already claimed by various states.

Below are selected Philippine names of South China Sea features and their corresponding Chinese names:

Philippine-occupied features

• Rizal Reef — Siling Jiao
• Patag Island — Feixin Dao
• Panata Island / Melchora Aquino Cay — Nanyao Shazhou
• Kota Island — Nanyao Dao
• Lawak Island — Mahuan Dao
• Parola Island — Beizi Dao
• Ayungin Shoal — Ren’ai Jiao
• Pag-asa Island — Zhongye Dao
• Likas Island — Xiyue Dao

China-occupied features

• Calderon Reef — Huayang Jiao
• Kagitingan Reef — Yongshu Jiao
• Burgos Reef — Nanxun Jiao
• McKennan Reef — Dongmen Jiao
• Mabini Reef — Chiguo Jiao
• Panganiban Reef — Meiji Jiao
• Zamora Reef — Zhubi Jiao

Major disputed feature

• Bajo de Masinloc / Panatag Shoal — Huangyan Dao

Selected Vietnam-occupied features

• De Jesus Reef — Liumen Jiao
• Kalantiyaw Cay — Anbo Shazhou
• Mascardo Reef — Bai Jiao
• Gitnang Quezon Reef — Zhong Jiao
• Roxas Reef — Guihan Jiao
• Osmeña Reef — Nanhua Jiao
• Paredes Reef — Daxian Jiao
• Silangang Quezon Reef — Dong Jiao
• Julian Felipe Reef — Ranqing Shazhou
• Pagkakaisa Reef — Qiong Jiao
• Binago Island — Hongxiu Dao
• Hizon Reef — Bisheng Jiao
• Juan Luna Reef — Bolan Jiao
• Bailan Island — Dunqian Shazhou
• Rurok Island — Jinghong Dao
• Pugad Island — Nanzi Dao
• Lagos Island — Nanwei Dao
• Lopez-Jaena Reef — Wumie Jiao
• Kanlurang Quezon Reef — Xi Jiao

Malaysia-occupied features

• Antonio Luna Reef — Guangxingzi Jiao
• Gabriela Silang Reef — Boji Jiao
• Pawikan Shoal — Yuya Ansha
• Mariveles Reef — Nanhai Jiao
• Celerio Reef — Danwan Jiao

Taiwan-occupied features

• Ligao Island (Itu Aba) — Taiping Dao

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea (SCS), a key conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual shipborne trade, including areas also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed the West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The WPS refers to maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago, including the Luzon Sea and the waters around, within, and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines in its case against China’s claims in the South China Sea, declaring that China’s nine-dash line had “no legal basis.”

China has refused to recognize the decision.—MCG, GMA News