China angered by Philippines' new maritime laws reaffirming sea territories

The recent signing of new maritime laws by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has sparked anger and criticism from China, intensifying tensions in the hotly disputed South China Sea region.

The two laws, namely the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, were signed by Marcos in a nationally televised ceremony attended by top military and national security officials. These laws reaffirm the extent of the Philippines' maritime territories and its rights to resources, including those in the South China Sea. The move was based on international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Philippine laws, and a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated China's extensive territorial claims in the region.

In response, China condemned the signing of the laws, stating that they "seriously infringe on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea." Beijing further warned that it would respond resolutely if the Philippines took any provocative actions in the area based on these new laws.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused Manila of attempting to legitimize the "illegal ruling" of the South China Sea arbitration case through domestic legislation. The ongoing dispute over territorial claims in the resource-rich South China Sea has been a point of contention between the two countries for years.

This latest development comes amidst heightened tensions in the region, with reports of Philippine forces conducting combat drills in the South China Sea, specifically focused on retaking an island. Chinese navy ships reportedly observed the exercises from a distance, underscoring the complex and sensitive nature of maritime disputes in the area.