Google Maps Highlights 'West Philippine Sea' as Scarborough Shoal Incident Escalates Philippines-China Tensions

18 posts • GPT (4.1)

Updated Apr 15, 2025, 09:44 PM

Google has updated its Maps platform to make the label 'West Philippine Sea' more visible on the body of water directly west of the Philippines, an area also known as the South China Sea. According to a Google spokesperson, the label has always been present but is now easier to read at additional zoom levels. The change primarily affects users in the Philippines, reflecting the country's preferred naming for maritime areas within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, as formalized by Administrative Order 29 in 2012. The update comes amid ongoing disputes between the Philippines and China over territorial claims in the South China Sea, including Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc). On April 14, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that China Coast Guard vessel 21612 dangerously blocked the navigation route of the Philippine patrol ship BRP Cabra near Scarborough Shoal. Both countries have accused each other of dangerous maneuvers in the disputed waters, with the incident also involving the Philippine vessel 4409 near Huangyan Dao. The Philippines recently raised concerns during ASEAN-China negotiations, citing incidents that endangered its vessels and personnel and actions by other countries that infringed on its sovereignty and jurisdiction. Manila reiterated its commitment to resolving disputes peacefully and emphasized the need to adhere to international law, referencing the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated much of China's claims. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has maintained that 'South China Sea' is the internationally recognized name, while Philippine officials argue that the use of 'West Philippine Sea' on Google Maps reinforces the legitimacy of the country's maritime claims.

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#Google #Maps #West Philippine Sea #Philippines #South China Sea #Administrative Order 29 #China #Scarborough Shoal #Bajo de Masinloc #Philippine Coast Guard #China Coast Guard #Philippine #BRP Cabra #Huangyan Dao #Manila #Chinese Foreign Ministry #Google Maps

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Sources

reuters.com(4)rappler.com(2)inquirer.net english.alarabiya.net

9DASHLINE

@9DashLine

PH airs concerns during South China Sea talks between Beijing, Asean https://t.co/yuLjOvvEuD

Al Arabiya English

@AlArabiya_Eng

#China and the #Philippines accuse each other of dangerous maneuvers in a hotly disputed shoal in the South China Sea, in the latest confrontation over the waterway. https://t.co/GLVrf9mKFv