BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China, and all the Chinese people on both sides of the Strait have the shared duty to safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular media briefing when asked to comment on Taiwan authorities' affirmation for the so-called maritime delimitation talks between Japan and the Philippines. The countries announced they will delimit the area east of the Taiwan island. ■