The Philippines' attempt to label Taiping Dao as a "rock" exposed that its goal in initiating arbitration is to deny China's sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, along with maritime rights and interests, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Friday.

"This violates international law, and is totally unacceptable," she said.

"As reported by some foreign media, the Philippines and the arbitral tribunal are attempting to characterize Taiping Dao of China's Nansha Islands as a 'rock' other than an 'island'.”

China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and its adjacent waters, including Taiping Dao. Hua says China has – based on the Nansha Islands as a whole – jurisdiction over the territorial sea, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

Throughout history, Chinese fishermen have lived and worked on Taiping Dao, fishing, digging wells for fresh water, cultivating land and farming, building huts and temples, and raising livestock, Hua said.

"The above activities are all manifestly recorded in Geng Lu Bu (Manual of Sea Routes) which was passed down from generation to generation among Chinese fishermen, as well as in many western navigation logs before the 1930s," she said.

Hua says the working and living practices of Chinese people on Taiping Dao fully proves that it is an "island" completely capable of sustaining human habitation or economic life of its own.

Contact the writer at anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn.