The Department of National Defense (DND) on Thursday rejected as “ludicrous” the claim of Chinese scholars that the Batanes Islands are part of China through Taiwan, saying the assertion has no basis and must be contested.
“We know there is no basis for this. It’s a joke, and it’s ludicrous,” DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. told reporters on the sidelines of the National West Philippine Sea Summit.
He said the claim may be a signal of a broader intent, suggesting that it reflects China’s strategic ambitions in the region.
“Probably it’s a signaling of a preconceived intention already,” he noted.
“It is not far-fetched to think that is part of their plan. And it also validates what we have been saying, that they have a plan to control the entire Pacific Ocean. What is this for? Right?” he added.
The Defense chief said the assertion is concerning because China is a “closed society,” where such narratives may be accepted by the public.
“Their people will believe this. Their people are brainwashed. So this is concerning, and this must be contested,” he continued.
During the summit, he described the claim as part of a disinformation effort disguised as historical scholarship.
“We see the disinformation in the guise of historical scholarship in a closed society, namely China. Once again, they are spewing out false narratives in our northern area,” he said.
He also referred to those advancing the claim as “pseudo scholars,” saying such statements would only strengthen public opposition to the Communist Party of China.
“This would only galvanize the anti-Communist Party of China feeling because of the outlandish narratives that they are issuing,” the DND chief said.
Reports said the claim was made during a June 30 symposium hosted by Jinan University in Guangzhou, where Chinese scholars allegedly described the Batanes Islands as a “natural geographical extension” of Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory.
Batanes, the country’s northernmost province, is part of Philippine territory and lies south of Taiwan.