China declares baselines, reaffirms opposition to PH’s new maritime law

This photo taken on February 15, 2024, shows an aerial view of the Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese government reaffirmed its opposition to the Philippines’ new maritime law on Sunday as it delimited and declared Beijing’s “baselines” of the territorial sea adjacent to Scarborough Shoal, or what it calls Huangyan Dao.

“This is a natural step by the Chinese government to lawfully strengthen marine management and is consistent with international law and common practices,” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

Beijing accused Manila of “solidify[ing] the illegal arbitral award” on the South China Sea through domestic legislation after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday enacted two laws that defined the country’s maritime zones and its archipelagic sea-lanes and air routes to assert the Philippines’ rights over its waters, especially the West Philippine Sea.

READ: Marcos signs laws charting PH maritime zones, sea lanes

Republic Act No. 12064, or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, identifies the country’s maritime zones, such as its internal waters, archipelagic waters, a 22.22-kilometer (12-nautical-mile) territorial sea, a 44.45-km (24-nautical-mile) contiguous zone from the baseline, a 370-km (200-nautical-mile) exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf in compliance with the Unclos, existing laws and treaties.

On the other hand, Republic Act No. 12065, or the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, designates the country’s archipelagic sea-lanes and air routes that foreign military and foreign registered vessels and aircraft can use under international laws.

“This move severely violates China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. China firmly opposes it and will continue to do everything necessary in accordance with law to firmly defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” China claimed.

China reiterated that Scarborough Shoal is “within its territory,” and that the new baselines it established were in accordance with international law, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone.

READ: PH affirms maritime zones, angering China