China firmly opposes the Philippines' enactment of two new laws that infringe on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning at a regular briefing in Beijing on Friday.
Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the so-called Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act into law on Friday.
"The Chinese Foreign Ministry has summoned the Philippine ambassador to China and lodged serious demarche with the Philippine side over the enactment of the so-called Philippine Maritime Zones Act and Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act. I would like to stress that the so-called Maritime Zones Act, which illegally includes China's Huangyan Island and most islands and reefs of China's Nansha Islands into the Philippines' maritime zones, attempts to consolidate the illegal award of the so-called South China Sea arbitration, which severely infringes on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this," said Mao.
"China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea have sufficient historical and legal basis and are in line with international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and will not be affected by the Philippines' introduction of the so-called Maritime Zones Act. The so-called award of the South China Sea Arbitration is illegal and invalid. China does not accept and recognize it. China opposes and does not accept any claim or action based on the award. Under the pretext of implementing UNCLOS, the Philippines' attempt to use the so-called Maritime Zones Act to strengthen its illegal claims and actions in the South China Sea is illegal and invalid. The act seriously violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and will complicate the situation in the South China Sea. China will resolutely respond to any infringement and provocation by the Philippines in the South China Sea in accordance with the act," she said.
"China urges the Philippines to earnestly respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, immediately stop taking any unilateral actions that may escalate disputes and complicate the situation, and earnestly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea. China reserves the right to take necessary measures," said the spokeswoman.
"As for the so-called Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, many of its provisions are inconsistent with international law and the resolutions of the International Maritime Organization. China urges the Philippines to earnestly abide by international law and not undermine the legitimate rights of all parties under international law, including the UNCLOS," she said.
China firmly opposes Philippines' enactment of two new laws on South China Sea: spokeswoman
