Two new laws enacted by the Philippines concerning “maritime zones” and “archipelagic sea lanes” have drawn strong criticism from regional experts, who warn that they violate China’s territorial sovereignty and undermine regional peace.
The Philippine Congress approved the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes (ASL) Act and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act in September. Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed them into law on Friday.
China’s National People’s Congress Foreign Affairs Committee expressed firm opposition to the Maritime Zones Act on Friday, stating that it is an attempt by the Philippines to enforce the illegal arbitral award on the South China Sea issue from 2016 through domestic legislation. The Chinese Foreign Ministry also issued a statement, asserting that the act “seriously infringes on China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.”
The Maritime Zones Act allegedly includes most of China’s Huangyan Island and Nansha Islands and related maritime areas within the Philippines’ claimed maritime zones. Experts argue that this move not only violates China’s territorial sovereignty but also harms the legitimate rights of other regional parties under international laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Rong Ying, a researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, stated that the Philippines’ actions should be condemned by regional countries and the international community. “The two maritime laws not only seriously violate China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights but also undermine the legitimate rights of other parties under international laws, including UNCLOS, and run counter to the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,” Rong told CGTN.
Ding Duo, deputy director and associate research fellow at the Research Center for Ocean Law and Policy at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, criticized the Philippine ASL Act. He noted that the act stipulates that “foreign ships and aircraft that violate the UNCLOS and infringe upon the sovereignty and rights of the Philippines shall not exercise the right of passage of sea lanes of the Philippines,” which he believes is a departure from UNCLOS provisions. Ding argued that linking the right of passage of sea lanes with the South China Sea disputes restricts the rightful passage of foreign ships and aircraft.
Ding further pointed out that the sea lanes and air lanes designated by the act are close to U.S. military bases in the Philippines. He expressed concern that the Philippines and the U.S. might use this opportunity to monitor passing ships, potentially threatening the navigation safety of all countries.
According to Rong, the main purpose of the two bills introduced by the Philippines is to solidify its illegal claims by implementing the 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea. “Meanwhile, the Philippines continues to hype up the South China Sea issue, accelerate the internationalization of the issue, and provoke the U.S. and its allies to continue to support its illegal claims and infringing acts,” he said.
Rong emphasized that the South China Sea issue is crucial to regional peace, stability, and prosperity. He urged countries outside the region to respect and support China, other relevant countries, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in jointly managing differences and promoting efforts to build a sea of peace, cooperation, and friendship.
“If they truly care about peace and stability in the South China Sea, they should adjust their policies, abide by international law, respect the efforts made by China and other relevant countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, and stop interfering with and benefiting from it,” Rong concluded.
Reference(s):
Philippines' two maritime laws violate regional peace: experts
cgtn.com
