Marcos on China's opposition to new PH maritime laws: 'It's not unexpected'

Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. affirmed that the country is asserting its sovereignty and sovereign rights with the new maritime zones and archipelagic sealanes laws.

Marcos made the remarks in light of China’s opposition to them, with Beijing accusing Manila of “solidifying its illegal claims” in contested waters.

"It’s (China's opposition) not unexpected, but we have to clearly define… Marami tayong sinasabi that we have to protect our sovereign rights and our sovereignty," Marcos said. (We have a lot to say about the need to protect our sovereign rights and sovereignty.)

"So, it serves a purpose that we closely define what those boundaries are, and that’s what we are doing," he added.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing had summoned Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz to protest the legislation.

"The act also 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," Mao said.

"The Philippines seeks to justify its illegal claims and actions in the South China Sea by approving the so-called Maritime Zones Act in the name of implementing UNCLOS. This is 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," she added.