Manila: Manila on Thursday urged China to respect the Philippines' jurisdiction in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Philippines is asserting its rights to conduct routine maritime operations and scientific research in the region surrounding the Pag-asa Island and the Pag-asa Cays. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Teresita Daza emphasized in a statement that these areas are part of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), which is an integral part of the Philippines and falls under its longstanding sovereignty and jurisdiction.

The call for respect from China comes after recent comments by the Chinese Embassy in Manila regarding the Philippines' activities around Thitu (Pag-asa) Island, also known as Zhongye Dao in Chinese and Dao Th? Tur in Vietnamese. The Chinese Embassy claimed on its Facebook account that since January, the Philippines had made 27 "unauthorized landings" involving 167 personnel on uninhabited features in the South China Sea.

The Philippines' Foreign Ministry has strongly "rejected and refuted" these remarks. Spokeswoman Daza stated that the Philippines' actions are a legitimate exercise of its sovereignty and are consistent with international law. She further urged Beijing to respect the Philippines' sovereignty and jurisdiction, underscoring Manila's commitment to pursuing peaceful and legal means to manage differences and the situation at sea.

Daza concluded by asserting that "China has no right to object, much less interfere with these lawful and routine activities." Territorial disputes in the South China Sea are complex, involving multiple states, including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, each with conflicting claims over various islands and maritime areas in the region.