China reaffirmed its position Thursday that the any other country's claim to territorial sovereignty over the Huangyan and Nansha islands is "illegal and invalid."

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu made the remarks at a regular press conference.

"I would like to reiterate that Huangyan and Nansha islands have always been part of Chinese territory," Ma said. He said the People's Republic of China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands and adjacent waters.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed a bill that defines the Philippines' territorial waters, including the Huangyan and Nansha islands as Philippines' territorial waters.

China's Foreign Ministry had issued a statement Wednesday to express "strong opposition and solemn protest" about the legislation.

(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2009)