"Maps merely constitute information which varies in accuracy from case to case; of themselves, and by virtue solely of their existence, they cannot constitute a territorial title, that is, a document endowed by international law with intrinsic legal force for the purpose of establishing territorial rights." Burkina Faso/Republic of Mali (1986 I.C.J. 554)
Thus, a state cannot enlarge its rights under international law by its own unilateral acts or domestic legislation. Yet, this is exactly what China did in 1947 when China drew its nine- dashed line map in the South China Sea, claiming as basis historical facts.
Despite the irrelevance of historical facts to present-day maritime claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, ancient maps of China made by Chinese authorities, Chinese individuals or foreigners, and ancient maps of the Philippines made by Westerners, Philippine authorities or individuals, vividly present the actual historical facts in the South China Sea.
Since the start of the Song Dynasty in 960 AD until the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1912, or for almost a millennium, the southernmost territory of China has always been Hainan Island based on all official and unofficial maps of China.
And as late as 1932, the Chinese Government in a Note Verbale to France reiterated to the world that the southernmost territory of China is Hainan Island.
Thus, a state cannot enlarge its rights under international law by its own unilateral acts or domestic legislation. Yet, this is exactly what China did in 1947 when China drew its nine- dashed line map in the South China Sea, claiming as basis historical facts.
Despite the irrelevance of historical facts to present-day maritime claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, ancient maps of China made by Chinese authorities, Chinese individuals or foreigners, and ancient maps of the Philippines made by Westerners, Philippine authorities or individuals, vividly present the actual historical facts in the South China Sea.
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And as late as 1932, the Chinese Government in a Note Verbale to France reiterated to the world that the southernmost territory of China is Hainan Island.
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