China slams Indonesia renaming of South China Sea

Geng Shuang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Photo/gov.cn)

Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday said the use of North Natuna Sea for a part of the South China Sea is "not conducive" and makes no sense at all.

"South China Sea refers to a clear geographical zone, which has been widely recognized and accepted by the international community. The so-called change of name is not conducive to the efforts to the international standardization of the name of places," spokesperson for the ministry Geng Shuang made the remarks at a daily press briefing on Friday.

The Indonesian government has released a new official map of Indonesia that renames Indonesia's claimed exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea as the North Natuna Sea.

The deputy of maritime sovereignty at the Ministry of Maritime Afairs, Arif Havas Oegroseno, said the northern side of the economic zone was the site of oil and gas activity. He said they want to "update" the naming of the sea and gave a new name in line with the usual practice.

Geng said China hopes relevant countries can work with China for the shared goal and jointly uphold the current hard-won sound situation in the South China Sea.