The Philippines has recently enacted two significant maritime laws, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, aiming to bolster its claims in the contested South China Sea. Signed by President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos on November 8, these laws are presented as measures to implement the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration ruling.
However, these new laws have not gone unnoticed. The Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry has strongly condemned the Philippines' actions, asserting that these laws infringe upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea. According to the ministry, China's claim is firmly supported by historical evidence and international law.
China has officially made representations to the Philippine ambassador, urging the Philippines to cease any unilateral actions that could complicate and escalate tensions in the region. The ministry has issued a stern warning that persistent undermining of China's legitimate rights and interests may lead to decisive countermeasures.
The Philippine Maritime Zones Act has been criticized for unlawfully including the Chinese island Huangyan Dao and several features of the Nansha Islands into the Philippine maritime zone. This move is seen as a violation of China's territorial sovereignty and contravenes international treaties such as the 1898 Treaty of Paris and the 1900 Treaty of Washington.
On the other hand, the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act establishes three designated channels for the passage of foreign aircraft and ships, aiming to regulate and monitor maritime traffic. While the act claims to uphold international law by restricting passage of vessels that violate UNCLOS, critics argue that it effectively limits the navigation rights of other countries and selectively interprets Article 53 of UNCLOS to justify its stance.
These legislative changes reflect the Philippines' broader ambition to expand its territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea. By leveraging domestic legislation to support arbitration rulings, the Philippines seeks to solidify its position, despite objections from neighboring countries.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
