The Philippine government objects China's naming of a number of undersea features in the Philippine Rise (Benham Rise), which the UN designated as within the Philippines’ jurisdiction, according to AFP.

A Philippine Coast Guard vessel sails along Benham Rise on 6 May, 2017. (Photo: AFP/Philippine Department of Agriculture

The area spans 13 million hectares and is believed to be rich in biodiversity and marine resources.

"We object and do not recognise the Chinese names given to some undersea features in the Philippine Rise," said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a statement.

China proposed names for five features in 2015 and 2017. The proposals was submitted to the International Hydrographic Organisation, of which the Philippines is not a member.

The Philippine government has supposedly reached out to China with its concern over the names.

"Per our Philippine embassy in Beijing, they have already raised our concern to China," said Roque.

Philippines Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said his country would assign its own names to the undersea features of Benham Rise.

(Source: VNA)