Manila's move on islands 'illegal'

Beijing yesterday renewed its protest against the Philippines' claim over China's islands in the South China Sea.

Filipina President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday signed a bill that counts the Huangyan Island and the Nansha Islands as part of the Philippines' territory. China had protested the bill when it was tabled in the Philippines' congress last month. With Arroyo's signature, the bill has now "come into effect" under Philippine laws.

China's Foreign Ministry yesterday termed the move "illegal" and "invalid".