Philippine President signs laws reaffirming maritime rights in South China Sea

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - MANILA — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed two landmark laws on Friday reinforcing his country’s maritime claims, including in the contested South China Sea, a move that has sparked anger from China, which claims nearly the entire waterway.

The two laws — the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act — were signed by Marcos in a televised ceremony attended by key military and national security officials.

The laws further solidify the Philippines’ rejection of China’s expansive claims over most of the South China Sea and impose penalties, including jail terms and fines, for violations.

“These signal our resolve to protect our maritime resources, preserve our rich biodiversity and ensure that our waters remain a source of life and livelihood for all Filipinos,” Marcos stated during the signing.

China’s Foreign Ministry quickly condemned the move, accusing the Philippines of attempting to "solidify the illegal ruling of the South China Sea arbitration case through domestic legislation."

A Chinese spokesperson called the laws a "serious infringement" on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the region.

In response, the Chinese government summoned the Philippine ambassador in Beijing to lodge a formal protest.

Beijing's position is that its "nine-dash line" — which claims nearly all of the South China Sea — is backed by historical rights, a claim rejected by several Southeast Asian nations and international tribunals, including the 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated China's claims.

The Philippine Maritime Zones Act defines the nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and sovereignty over waters extending 200 nautical miles from its coast. This zone grants the Philippines exclusive rights to explore and exploit resources like oil, gas, and minerals, as well as conduct fishing and preserve marine biodiversity.

The Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act allows the Philippines to regulate the sea lanes and air routes within its archipelago, a move that would further restrict foreign military and commercial activity in the waters, which have long been a source of tension due to competing claims in the region.

“These legal instruments solidify our territory and enhance our ability to protect our country against any infringement,” said Eduardo Ano, the National Security Adviser of the Philippines.

While the laws are intended to strengthen the Philippines’ position under international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), they directly contradict China’s territorial assertions in the region. It is unclear how the Philippines plans to enforce the new laws in the face of China’s increasingly aggressive stance, including the militarization of disputed reefs.

One significant area of contention is the Mischief Reef, located within the Philippines' EEZ but transformed by China into a heavily fortified island base. China has created artificial islands in the area, some equipped with military-grade weapons, despite international rulings that rejected its expansive claims.

The new laws also reference the 2016 international arbitration ruling, which invalidated China's historical claims in the South China Sea. Despite this, China has consistently rejected the ruling and continues to deploy its coast guard, military forces, and even militia vessels to assert its control over the region, often clashing with Philippine vessels. — Agencies