NHCP Rejects Chinese Scholars’ Claim That Batanes Belongs to China
NHCP – The National Historical Commission of the Philippines has strongly rejected claims by several Chinese scholars that Batanes is part of China’s territory, calling the arguments baseless, fabricated, and unsupported by historical and factual evidence. The commission issued its response on July 10, 2026, following a symposium at Jinan University in China, where scholars reportedly argued that Batanes is a natural geographic extension of Taiwan and should be under Chinese sovereignty.
According to the NHCP, scientific evidence does not support these claims. The agency explained that satellite and oceanographic data show a continuous continental shelf extending from Northern Luzon through the Babuyan and Batanes Islands, supporting the Philippines’ geographical connection to the area. The commission said this evidence further strengthens the country’s claim to Batanes.
The NHCP also disputed claims that Batanes was governed by Taiwan during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Historical records, including documentation by British explorer William Dampier in 1687, show no evidence of Chinese administration over the islands. The commission added that archaeological and historical studies conducted over the past century confirm that the Ivatan people had long-established communities and actively traded with neighboring regions while maintaining their distinct identity.
The agency further emphasized that Batanes has remained under continuous Philippine sovereignty since 1783. It noted that the islands were already recognized as part of Philippine territory during the Philippine Revolution and the First Philippine Republic, with the Ivatan people participating in the country’s struggle for independence.
The NHCP also rejected claims that Batanes should have been returned to China after World War II. It stressed that Japan could not return territory that had never been part of China. The commission also pointed out that the people of Batanes had already liberated themselves from Japanese occupation in early 1945, further reinforcing the islands’ long-standing status as part of the Philippines.
The commission expressed its support for the people of Batanes and urged researchers and academic institutions to rely on verified facts and credible evidence. Political analyst Renato Castro also dismissed the claims, describing them as part of China’s broader propaganda efforts. He added that Batanes and the Luzon Strait hold significant strategic importance in the region, particularly because of ongoing tensions surrounding Taiwan and China’s broader geopolitical ambitions.