'We should not accept that Recto/Reed Bank is part of the
Nansha Island Group of China because the Reed Bank is within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.
However, he also said the Philippines's acceptance of the apology from the Chinese ship owner may be taken to mean that it also accepts that Recto Bank is part of
Nansha Island Group, as stated in the Chinese letter of apology.
The Chinese group, however, incorrectlyclaimed Recto or Reed Bank as part of
Nansha Island Group or the Spratly Islands.
Taiping Island (also called Itu Aba) is the largest island of the
Nansha Island chain, which is known as the Spratly chain by most countries in the region.
He also used the
Nansha Island's, China's name for the Spratly Islands, as an example.
(10) Nonetheless, Bai only makes mention of the
Nansha Island Group in his atlas or the official Republic of China map and does not explicitly refer to any animate or inanimate resources within that line.
dated August 28 contained the Embassy's translation of a portion of the letter which states that 'an accidental collision between a Chinese and a Philippine fishing boat in the waters of Reed Bank,
Nansha Island Group on the evening of June 9, caused damage to a Philippine fishing boat.
'Hindi natin dapat tanggapin na kasama sa
Nansha Island group ng China ang Recto Bank dahil nasa loob ito ng exclusive economic zone (EEZ) ng Pilipinas,' he said.
Sansha City, on Yongxing, one of the Xisha islands, was officially established in 2012 to administer the Xisha, Zhongsha and
Nansha island groups and their surrounding waters in the South China Sea.
The letter, however, recalled the incident and said that it happened 'in the waters of Reed Bank,
Nansha Island Group.'
But Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Wednesday corrected the same letter, saying that Reed Bank, is not a part of
Nansha Island Group - more commonly known as Spratly Islands.
The shoal, called Hasa Hasa by the Philippines, claimed by China as part of the
Nansha island chain and known internationally as the Spratlys, is also claimed by Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei.