In a move that has stirred regional tensions, the Philippines has enacted two significant pieces of legislation—the “Maritime Zones Act” and the “Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act”—which have been met with strong opposition from China.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry summoned the Philippine ambassador to China on Friday to express serious protests following the signing of the acts by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Beijing asserts that these laws unilaterally complicate the South China Sea situation.
Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated that the “Maritime Zones Act” illegally includes China’s Huangyan Dao and most of the islands and reefs of China’s Nansha Qundao, along with their relevant waters, into the Philippines’ maritime zones. This, according to Mao, severely violates China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.
Furthermore, Mao noted that certain provisions of the “Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act” are incompatible with international law and resolutions of the International Maritime Organization.
Analysts suggest that Manila’s latest actions might narrow the space for dialogue and consultations between China and the Philippines regarding the South China Sea issue, potentially leading to increased regional tensions.
“The Philippines’ latest move will further narrow the political space for Manila and Beijing to manage crises and properly handle disputes over the South China Sea issue,” said Ding Duo, deputy director of the Research Center of Oceans Law and Policy at the National Institute for the South China Sea Studies.
Ding added that this is not an isolated incident but part of a broader, provocative policy currently pursued by the Philippine government at both legal and cognitive levels.
The timing of the enactment has also raised eyebrows. The laws, long in the making, were signed into effect shortly after significant developments in the U.S. political landscape, a move some analysts see as strategically calculated.
“The signing of the two acts by the Philippines on the day after the dust settled in the U.S. presidential election is not a coincidence but a meticulously planned move,” said Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at China South China Sea Research Institute.
Chen outlined three primary motivations behind Manila’s actions: attempting to capitalize on international distractions to minimize backlash; solidifying illegal claims through domestic legislation to pressure international support; and signaling allegiance to the incoming U.S. administration.
Former Malaysian Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat expressed concerns that the “Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act” could disrupt normal navigation and passage of neighboring countries, potentially affecting regional peace within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“The act may face opposition from the International Maritime Organization,” Ong added.
Reference(s):
What's behind Manila's enacting pair of South China Sea acts?
cgtn.com
