Gov't unfazed by China protest vs new laws

The Marcos administration is unfazed by China's protest against the enactment of two laws that reinforce the Philippines' entitlements and responsibilities within its maritime zones.

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President Marcos signed last week the Maritime Zones Law and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Law – measures that are seen to reflect the Philippines' resolve to protect its marine resources and assert its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its maritime zones.

The enactment of the two laws did not sit well with China, which claims practically the entire South China Sea, including areas that are within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf.

China, whose expansive claim in the South China Sea was voided by an international arbitral court in 2016, summoned the Philippines' ambassador in Beijing to protest the new laws.

The Chinese foreign affairs ministry called on the Philippines to respect China's "territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests" and to stop unilateral actions that may expand disputes and complicate the situation, according to earlier reports.

Asked to react to China's latest actions, Marcos said the Philippines' stance on the maritime row stays the same.