Manila's plan for S. China Sea 'illegal'

BEIJING - China on Tuesday reaffirmed its indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and its adjacent waters and protested against the Philippines' plan to explore for oil and natural gas in the area of the South China Sea.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks at a regular news briefing when responding Philippine Secretary of Energy Jose Almendras' statement on inviting foreign investors to explore two oil and gas blocks under China's jurisdiction.

"It is unlawful for any country or company to explore oil and gas in sea areas under Chinese jurisdiction without the permission of the Chinese government," Hong said.