The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, has strongly condemned the Philippines' newly introduced Maritime Zones Act.
The NPC's Foreign Affairs Committee stated that the act attempts to enforce the 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea issue through domestic legislation, severely infringing upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the region.
China asserts sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and its adjacent waters, including Huangyan Dao, and has urged the Philippines to cease their actions that undermine bilateral relations and destabilize the South China Sea.
The NPC emphasized that the 2016 arbitration was unilaterally initiated by the Philippines and violated international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. China does not recognize the award and maintains that its territorial and maritime rights remain unaffected.
Furthermore, the statement called for an immediate halt to any unilateral measures that could escalate disputes in the South China Sea, highlighting the importance of peace and stability in the region.
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China's top legislature condemns Philippines' Maritime Zones Act
cgtn.com
