China submits territorial dispute map to UN, including reefs

China has submitted a statement and a maritime map to the United Nations that includes Scarborough Reef (黃, Chinese name Huang Yendao) in the South China Sea as its territorial waters.

China's deputy U.N. envoy Geng Shuang has submitted a chart of territorial vessels, including Scarborough reefs, to U.N. Deputy Secretary-General for Legal Affairs Stefan Mathias, Xinhua reported.

The statements and drawings submitted will be posted on the U.N. website.

According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal countries must submit a copy of their territorial chart or geographic coordinates to the United Nations, the People's Liberation Army of China said on its official SNS account.

Earlier on the 10th of last month, when the Philippines legislated its sovereignty in the South China Sea, China announced the "Hwang Yendao Territorial Ship," which connects 16 points around Scarborough Reef.

China has been at loggerheads with Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei, claiming about 90% of the South China Sea.