The Philippines' sovereignty claim over Huangyan Island is "illegal" and against the basic principles of international relations, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said on Friday.

"The Philippines once clearly stated that Huangyan Island in the South China Sea is not part of its territory, but now it swallowed its words and raised illegal territorial claims over an island which belongs to China," Liu said at a regular press briefing.

"Such a claim runs against the basic principles of international relations, which require the respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said when asked to comment on Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario's recent accusations against China over the issue.

The Philippine side should respect China's sovereignty, avoid actions which would aggravate and complicate the situation so as to resume peace and order in the waters around Huangyan Island, Liu remarked.

Some media reports said the Philippines has issued a notice to China on its readiness to bring the sovereignty of Huangyan Island to international arbitration.

"What a world it would be if a country could, at its own will, bring another country's territory to international arbitration," the spokesman said while stressing that Huangyan Island is an inherent part of China.