China opposes PH maritime zones law, says it violates territorial sovereignty

MANILA, Philippines – China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the signing into law of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, adding that it summoned the Philippine Ambassador to China to “make serious protests” against the move.

In a press conference on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said the Philippine Maritime Zones Act “illegally included” Panatag Shoal – which they call Huangyan Dao – into the country’s maritime zones.

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“The act also aims to further solidify the illegal arbitral award on the South China Sea in the form of domestic legislation. This move severely violates China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. We strongly condemn and firmly oppose it,” said Mao.

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She then claimed that China’s territorial sovereignty, maritime rights, and interests in the South China Sea are solidly grounded in history and the law.

“The Philippines seeks to justify its illegal claims and actions in the South China Sea by approving the so-called Maritime Zones Act in the name of implementing UNCLOS,” said Mao.

According to her, China will firmly oppose any “infringement activities and provocations” by the Philippines in the South China Sea based on the law.

READ: PH wins arbitration case over South China Sea 

China’s continued aggression in Philippine waters is borne out of a sweeping claim over most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.

It, however, has long been dismissed by an arbitral tribunal.