Beijing denounces Manila over pair of South China Sea acts

China blasted on Friday the enacting of two acts by the Philippines that infringe upon its maritime rights, urging Manila to avoid unilateral actions that may escalate the dispute and complicate the situation in the South China Sea.

The Foreign Ministry condemned and opposed the so-called "Maritime Zones Act" and "Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act", which were signed into law by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Friday.

Beijing summoned the Philippine ambassador to China and made solemn protests over the acts, the ministry's spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a daily news conference.

The so-called "Maritime Zones Act" illegally includes Huangyan Island and most of China's Nansha Islands and its adjacent maritime areas in the Philippines' maritime zones, Mao noted.

Manila is attempting to further solidify the illegal arbitral award concerning the South China Sea through domestic legislation, which seriously violates China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, she said.

China's territorial sovereignty, as well as maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, are based on solid historical and legal evidence and are in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Mao said, adding that it will not be influenced by the Philippine act.

The spokeswoman reiterated that China does not accept or recognize the so-called arbitral award on the South China Sea, which is "illegal, null and void", adding "we oppose and do not accept any claim or action based on the award".

The Philippines is seeking to justify its illegal claims and actions in the South China Sea by approving the act in the name of implementing UNCLOS, which Mao said is also "illegal, null and void".

This so-called legislation seriously violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and will make the situation in the South China Sea more complex. China will firmly oppose any infringement activities and provocations by the Philippines in the South China Sea based on the acts, Mao said, urging the Philippines to earnestly respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

China reserves the right to take any and all measures necessary, she added.

Speaking of the so-called "Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act", Mao noted that various parts of the act are not compatible with international law and resolutions of the International Maritime Organization.

"We ask the Philippines to earnestly abide by international law and not to undermine other countries' lawful rights under UNCLOS and other international laws."

Also on Friday, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress issued a statement to reject and denounce the so-called "Maritime Zones Act", saying that China has sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, Zhongsha Islands and their adjacent waters, and China has jurisdiction over these relevant maritime areas.

The top legislature urged the Philippines to immediately stop its illegal actions that infringe on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, and stop any actions that deliberately undermine overall China-Philippines relations.

zhoujin@chinadaily.com.cn