China's new territorial claims show 'intent of expanding,' says Philippines

Chinese authorities released a newly drawn map this month that claims ownership of nearly all of the South China Sea, an area larger than India, stretching from China's shores thousands of kilometres to the territorial waters of the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam and Taiwan.

The English-language Global Times, which communicates policy of the Communist Party government, described it as a "normal exercise of sovereignty in accordance with the law."

The Filipino secretary of defence sees it differently, calling the new map "control and occupation over the South China Sea."

In an exclusive interview with CBC News, Gilberto Teodoro says the move "absolutely proves [China's] intent of expanding and being more assertive."

"If that's not stopped, then the whole international rules-based order is in jeopardy."

He says Chinese control over the South China Sea could imperil the freedom of movement for nations all over the world.

"For Canada … if sea lanes are blocked, then even your supply chains are going to suffer."

Now boasting the world's largest navy, China has been increasingly assertive about its many maritime and territorial claims.

A decades-long dispute over the South China Sea, and the Spratly Islands in particular, recently saw Chinese Coast Guard vessels block and nearly ram Philippine vessels attempting to resupply a small military outpost on the Second Thomas Shoal.

China insists it owns the teardrop-shaped atoll, a claim that prompted Manila to beach a rusting warship on the shoal in 1999. It has kept soldiers aboard since then to maintain its assertion of ownership. 

The land is within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, not China's. In 2016, an international tribunal ruled overwhelmingly in the Philippines' favour, determining that major elements of China's claim were unlawful. 

Beijing reacted by deeming the decision "null and void."

Chinese authorities regularly harass Philippine boats, including with powerful water cannons. Beijing has insisted the Philippines abandon the beached ship. Manila has essentially responded "never."

Canada's Navy has two ships currently in the region, sailing through the areas China now claims in its latest map. Canada's presence is intended to signal to Beijing that the South China Sea is an international waterway, through which ships of any nation may pass.