After Signing of 2 New Maritime Laws, China Summons Ph Ambassador
China is urging the Philippines to respect its “territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interest” after two new laws were signed.
The territorial dispute between China and the Philippines have yet to be resolved for several years now. Unfortunately, the tension in the disputed areas has intensified and there were reportedly instances when dangerous moves were taken by the Chinese authorities against the Philippine authorities.
Previously, Chinese government warned the Philippines that its “patience is limited” regarding the territorial dispute. The issues has reached the Arbitral Tribunal but the Chinese authorities did not recognize the verdict of the international court.
In 2015, the Arbitral Tribunal released a verdict siding the Philippines in its territorial dispute with China. However, the said ruling was not able to stop the Chinese government from asserting its claims. It even built artificial islands in the South China Sea.
There are several Chinese vessels at the West Philippine Sea as well. In the recent months, there were several reports when the Chinese vessels either blocked the Philippine vessels or made dangerous turns.
Both the Philippines and China are standing firm on their claims over the disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea. Recently, President Bongbong Marcos has signed two (2) new maritime laws such as the following:
- Maritime Zones Law
- Archipelago Sea Lanes Law
Following the signing of the two (2) new maritime laws, the Chinese government has summoned the Philippine ambassador to China “to lodge solemn representations” over the two (2) new maritime laws signed by Pres. Marcos. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, it was confirmed by Mao Ning, the spokesperson of the foreign ministry of Beijing.
The Chinese government is also urging the Philippines to uphold their maritime rights and interest and stop making actions that can worsen the situation. Based on the report, it stressed that they deserve to take necessary measures.
“China urges the Philippines to earnestly respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, immediately stop taking any unilateral actions that may lead to the expansion of disputes and complicate the situation, and earnestly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesperson said.
At the recent ASEAN Summit, Pres. Bongbong Marcos stressed in a speech that China’s behavior cannot be ignored.