Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed two significant laws on Friday aimed at reinforcing the country’s maritime territories, including parts of the South China Sea, an area fiercely contested by China.
The new legislation, which includes the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, underscores Manila’s commitment to asserting its rights over these waters, where tensions with China have escalated in recent years.
China’s Strong Protest
China swiftly responded to the move by summoning the Philippine ambassador in Beijing, lodging a “stern protest.”
The Chinese government condemned the actions, calling them an attempt to “solidify the illegal ruling of the South China Sea arbitration case through domestic legislation.”
Beijing’s claim to nearly the entire South China Sea, demarcated by a series of dashed lines in a 2019 national map, has faced widespread rejection from other Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines.
At a nationally televised ceremony, Marcos emphasized the importance of the new laws in protecting the Philippines’ maritime resources and biodiversity.
“These signal our resolve to protect our maritime resources, preserve our rich biodiversity and ensure that our waters remain a source of life and livelihood for all Filipinos,” he said, addressing the nation’s top military and national security officials.
Legal Framework and International Law
The Philippine Maritime Zones Act delineates critical areas of the archipelago’s territory, including the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which extends 200 nautical miles from the coast.
This zone grants the Philippines exclusive rights to resources, including energy. Additionally, the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act designates specific sea lanes and air routes for foreign vessels and aircraft to navigate, under Philippine regulation but in line with international law.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año stated that these legal measures “solidify our territory and enhance our ability to protect our country against any infringement.”
However, the Philippine laws run counter to China’s territorial claims, and it remains unclear how Manila could enforce them, particularly while Beijing has increasingly flexed its military presence in the region.
Ongoing Tensions and US Involvement
The Philippines’ move comes amid growing confrontations between Chinese and Philippine forces in the South China Sea. These altercations have raised concerns that the United States, a longtime ally of the Philippines, could become involved in a potential conflict.
The U.S. has repeatedly pledged to defend the Philippines under their mutual defense treaty if Filipino forces are attacked in the disputed waters.
As China continues to assert its dominance in the South China Sea, the Philippines is increasingly turning to international law, including a 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated China’s expansive claims. However, China has dismissed the ruling and remains defiant in its efforts to assert control over the region.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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