The government wants to verify reports that China has published a new official map that included disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), a Malacañang official said on Sunday.

In an interview aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan (dzRB), Palace deputy spokesman Abigail Valte said that the government is aware of the reports. However, she said Malacañang wants the Philippine embassy to verify the reports before they act on it.

“We’re aware of the reports. We’re already aware of the reports released by Chinese media, which is why the DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs] will be asking our embassy in Beijing to verify that particular report before we make any further comment,” she added.

“The DFA will be the one to make a response if and when the embassy in Beijing has been able to verify the information,” she added’

The Philippines and China are among six claimants to the Kalayaan (Spratlys) Islands, the other claimants being Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Earlier reports cited that China’s official news agency said that China published a new official map that includes islands in the West Philippine Sea. It added that the maps also featured islands in East China Sea being claimed by Japan.

Quoting information from China’s National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation, Xinhua said that the country had included in its new vertical-format maps over 130 islands and islets in the West Philippine, “most of which have not been featured on previous maps of China.”