China summons Philippine ambassador to lodge representations over 'maritime laws'

China summoned the Philippine ambassador to lodge solemn representations after the Philippines issued two new laws covering the so-called "maritime zones" and "archipelagic sea lanes," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday.

Stressing that the so-called "Philippine Maritime Zones Act" illegally includes China's Huangyan Dao and most of the islands and reefs of China's Nansha Qundao and their relevant waters into the Philippines' maritime zones, Mao said that the act "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. 

China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea are solidly grounded in history and the law, comply with international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and will not be affected by the "Philippines Maritime Zones Act," the spokesperson pointed out. 

China urges the Philippines to earnestly respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, immediately end any unilateral move that may escalate the dispute and complicate the situation and keep the South China Sea peaceful and stable. China reserves the right of taking all measures necessary, Mao said. 

Noting that various parts of the Philippine "Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act" are not compatible with regulations of international law and resolutions of the International Maritime Organization, Mao said that China asks the Philippines to "earnestly abide by international law and not to undermine other countries' lawful rights under UNCLOS and other international law."

(Cover pic: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning holds daily presser, November 8, 2024, Beijing. /Chinese Foreign Ministry)