New book clarifies nine-dash line

China recently published its first book on the theories of the nine-dash line of the South China Sea, China Ocean News reported Monday.

The book, mainly illustrating the history, functions and legal basis of the nine-dash line, is authored by Chinese maritime experts from the China Institute for Marine Affairs, the School of Law at Tsinghua University and the International Law Association.

The book states that the nine-dash line is a historical line of maritime rights, which include the right to claim Chinese sovereignty on islands of the South China Sea and the right for Chinese fishing and the exploration of mineral resources inside the line.

The book concludes that any attempt or behavior to deny or deprive the rights that the nine-dash line stands for is legally wrong and politically impractical.

Gao Zhiguo, one of the authors of the book, said that the book has clearly summarized and explained the definition and legal basis of the nine-dash line, providing an important legal ground for China to guard maritime rights.

The year of 2014 marks the 100th year of the announcement of the nine-dash line. After the return of the Xisha and Nansha Islands to China, the government in 1948 mapped out the line, which is clearly marked in historical documents and world maps drawn by different countries.