Why Did China-Based Jinan University Suddenly Erase Its Batanes Claim?

⁨Article by J. Salazar

Published on July 16, 2026 5:30PM

A report linked to Jinan University that claimed the Philippines’ Batanes Islands belong to China appears to have been quietly taken down, with no public retraction, correction or explanation, after triggering criticism from Philippine officials and public backlash online. Reuters reported that the Jinan statement had been published after a June 30 symposium and later appeared to have been removed, while The Japan Times also said the statement had been taken down. ¹

The deleted report has added another layer of tension to an already sensitive dispute in the northern approaches to the West Philippine Sea. Philippine officials rejected the claim immediately, saying Batanes is sovereign Philippine territory and that the argument had no legal or historical basis. ²

The controversy began after Chinese scholars at the symposium reportedly described Batanes as a “natural geographic extension” of Taiwan and argued that China should assert sovereignty over the islands. Reuters said the argument circulated through Chinese state-linked outlets, including GDToday, but that Beijing had not formally endorsed the position. ³  

For Manila, the concern is not only the claim itself but the way it was presented. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Philippine sovereignty over Batanes was “not up for debate,” while the National Historical Commission of the Philippines rejected the claim as lacking historical and legal support. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. called the assertion “baseless,” “ludicrous,” and “concerning,” warning that it should be challenged. ⁴

The timing has sharpened suspicions in Manila that the academic language was meant to support more assertive Chinese activity in waters east of Batanes. Reuters reported that the claim came amid Chinese coast guard activity near the northern island chain, and Philippine observers have warned that such narratives can help manufacture ambiguity around territory that Manila considers settled. ⁵

Batanes is strategically important because it sits near the Luzon Strait, between northern Luzon and Taiwan, making it a sensitive point in any wider security equation involving the Philippines, China and Taiwan. Reuters noted that the province is home to about 20,000 people and lies along a key maritime passage linking the South China Sea and the Pacific. Philippine officials have stressed that it is not a disputed reef or uninhabited feature, but a populated island province under long-standing Philippine administration. ⁶

The removal of the Jinan report does not appear to have settled the issue. Manila’s view is that the deletion may reflect discomfort with the backlash rather than any rejection of the underlying idea, especially since the same language was reportedly still available on other Chinese state-linked channels. That leaves the episode in a familiar gray zone: an academic claim that is not formally adopted by Beijing, but one that still reinforces pressure on the Philippines. ⁷  

The broader political effect may be more important than the deleted webpage itself. Philippine officials have treated the episode as part of a pattern in which scholarly or media material is used to supply a narrative justification for maritime pressure and territorial ambiguity. For Manila, the test now is whether the rhetoric fades with the deleted report or reappears in another form as Chinese patrol activity resumes east of Batanes.

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Notes:

¹ The Japan Times. Philippines rejects Chinese academics’ sovereignty claims to Batanes Islands. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/07/11/asia-pacific/philippines-china-sovereignty-claims-batanes/

² ABS-CBN. DFA: Philippine sovereignty over Batanes 'not up for debate'; NHCP rejects Chinese claims. https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/10/dfa-says-philippine-sovereignty-over-batanes-not-up-for-debate-1031

³  Reuters. Philippines rejects Chinese scholars' claim over its island province near Taiwan. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/philippines-rejects-chinese-scholars-claim-over-its-island-province-near-taiwan-2026-07-09/

⁴ Philnews. Chinese Scholars’ Claim That Batanes Belongs to China Rejected by NHCP. https://philnews.ph/2026/07/11/chinese-scholars-claim-that-batanes-belongs-to-china-rejected-by-nhcp/)

⁵ 24newshd. Philippines rejects Chinese academics' sovereignty claims. https://www.24newshd.tv/10-Jul-2026/philippines-rejects-chinese-academics-sovereignty-claims

⁶ Internazionale. Philippines rejects Chinese scholars’ claim over its island province near Taiwan. https://www.internazionale.it/ultime-notizie-reuters/2026/07/09/philippines-rejects-chinese-scholars-claim-over-its-island-province-near-taiwan)

⁷  Manila Standard. Chinese uni withdraws study on Batanes claim. https://manilastandard.net/news/314766220/chinese-uni-withdraws-study-on-batanes-claim.html

⁸ South China Morning Post. Filipinos worry Chinese online claims to Batanes risk real-world conflict. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3323091/filipinos-worry-chinese-online-claims-batanes-risk-real-world-conflict