The Philippines recently passed two new maritime laws—the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes (ASL) Act and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act—which experts warn could disrupt regional peace and stability. Approved by Congress in September and signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., these measures have sparked significant backlash from neighboring countries.
China has been particularly vocal in its opposition, with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress condemning the Maritime Zones Act as an attempt to enforce the 2016 illegal arbitral award on the South China Sea issue through domestic legislation. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that the act \"seriously infringes on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.\"
Rong Ying, a researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, emphasized that the Philippines' laws not only violate China’s territorial claims but also undermine international laws such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Ding Duo, deputy director at the Research Center for Ocean Law and Policy, highlighted that the ASL Act links the right of passage with South China Sea disputes, potentially restricting foreign ships and aircraft from navigating freely.
Additionally, the proximity of the designated sea and air lanes to U.S. military bases raises concerns about increased monitoring and surveillance, which could threaten navigation safety for all nations. Experts argue that these laws are designed to solidify the Philippines' claims by leveraging international support, particularly from the United States, thereby intensifying regional tensions.
Rong stresses the importance of peaceful and cooperative management of maritime disputes, urging the U.S. to respect international law and support regional efforts to maintain stability in the South China Sea. As the geopolitical landscape evolves, the international community watches closely to ensure that actions taken by the Philippines contribute to, rather than detract from, regional harmony.
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Philippines' two maritime laws violate regional peace: experts
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