China’s top legislative body, the National People’s Congress (NPC), has expressed strong opposition to the Philippines’ recent introduction of the Maritime Zones Act. In a statement released on Friday, the NPC’s Foreign Affairs Committee condemned the act as an attempt to enforce the 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea issue, which China has consistently rejected.
The NPC’s statement criticized the Philippines for including Huangyan Dao (known internationally as Scarborough Shoal) and many of the islands and reefs of China’s Nansha Qundao (the Spratly Islands), along with their relevant waters, within the Philippines’ maritime zones. China maintains that these territories are an integral part of its sovereign territory and that it has legitimate maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.
“We urge the Philippines to immediately cease their illegal actions that infringe upon China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” the statement declared. The NPC called for an end to any unilateral actions that could escalate disputes or complicate the situation in the South China Sea.
The committee emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region, urging the Philippines to avoid actions that undermine bilateral relations between the two countries. “It is imperative for the Philippines to cease their deliberate and wrong actions that undermine the overall interests of the bilateral relationship,” the statement added.
China reiterated its position on the 2016 arbitration initiated by the Philippines, stating that the proceedings violated international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). According to the NPC, the arbitral tribunal lacked jurisdiction over the issue, and its award is considered illegal and null by China. “China neither accepts nor recognizes the award and will never accept any claim or action based on it,” the statement affirmed.
The South China Sea remains a highly contested region, with multiple countries claiming sovereignty over various islands and maritime zones. The NPC’s condemnation of the Philippines’ Maritime Zones Act highlights the ongoing tensions and the complexities involved in reaching a peaceful resolution.
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China's top legislature condemns Philippines' Maritime Zones Act
cgtn.com
