Chinese government-affiliated scholars claimed the Philippines does not have legal sovereignty over the Batanes islands, arguing they are a natural geographical extension of Taiwan.

multiple outlets, traced to a single source · Attributed statement · first recorded Jul 13, 2:30 PM

Although several outlets carry this claim, their reporting traces back to a single shared source — so it counts as one confirmation, not several.

How each outlet reported it

Radio Free AsiaUS state-funded media · Jul 13, 2:01 PM

Scholars affiliated with the Chinese government said the Philippines does not have legal sovereignty over the Batanes islands

Details: Batanes; Chinese government scholars

Radio Free AsiaUS state-funded media · Jul 13, 2:01 PM

Chinese academics argued that the Batanes are 'a natural geographical extension of Taiwan'

Cites: Chinese government-affiliated scholars · Details: Batanes; Taiwan; natural geographical extension