The presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG) persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to block them and assist a civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 15, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173105201657120240516-atin-ito-wps-MT-46.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(51, 51, 51);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">The presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG) persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to block them and assist a civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 15, 2024. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span><em> </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Beijing is likely to disapprove of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s approval of new laws declaring the maritime zones under Philippine jurisdiction and designating sea lanes in the country for foreign vessels and aircraft, a Chinese security expert said Friday.</p><p>Marcos Jr. on Friday signed the two new laws, namely the Philippine Maritime Zones Act or RA 12064 and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act or RA 12065.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/8/marcos-signs-two-laws-reinforcing-philippine-rights-over-maritime-zones-1306">Marcos signs two laws reinforcing Philippine rights over maritime zones</a></div><p>Professor Hu Bo, director of the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI), said the maritime zone law would overlap with Beijing’s claims in almost the entirety of the South China Sea.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/29/china-will-exert-more-control-in-scs-unless-ph-finds-more-consistency-analyst-020">China ‘will exert more control’ in SCS unless PH finds ‘more consistency’: analyst</a></div><p>“China and the Philippines have disputes and claims. Of course, China will not like this kind of domestic law, even if it is your decision but Beijing has its right to show its desire,” Hu told reporters in an interview on the sidelines of the Manila Dialogue on the SCS held in Taguig City.</p><p>“As to Beijing’s perspective, the maritime zone will overlap with Beijing’s claims. So, there are some disputes and maybe confrontations, other things like that,” he added.</p><p>But Hu claimed that there has been “diplomatic progress” in the Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal) and Sabina Shoal (Escoda Shoal).</p><p>“The good news that I think is that the temperature of the South China Sea is going down compared to last year. I think Beijing and Manila can use a diplomatic channel to manage the disputes between [the Philippines and] China,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/15/beijing-claims-philippines-seriously-threatened-chinese-fishing-boat-1651">Beijing claims Philippines &#x27;seriously threatened&#x27; Chinese fishing boat</a></div><p>The China Coast Guard and maritime militia have been harassing, blocking and executing dangerous maneuvers on Philippine vessels conducting maritime operations, particularly against the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, Escoda Shoal and Panatag Shoal.</p><p>The most violent incident occurred in Ayungin Shoal on June 17, which resulted in one Navy personnel losing his thumb.</p><p>Meanwhile, maritime expert Professor Jay Batongbacal called the two laws “foundational pieces of legislations”, which are in full accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).</p><p>“It’s not only the Filipino people who are bound to comply with it, but the international community as long as we implement our rules and regulations in accordance with the UNCLOS,” Batongbacal explained.</p><p>He added, China should not see the Philippines’ move as an escalation of the situation in the West Philippine Sea,</p><p>“We did not expand our claims. We just clarified it because all our claims are based on the law,” Batongbacal said.</p>

China 'won't like' new PH laws on maritime zones, archipelagic sea lanes: expert

China 'won't like' new Philippine laws on maritime zones, archipelagic sea lanes: expert | ABS-CBN

Halalan 2025

Entertainment

News

Metro.Style

Sports

More

Traffic

News

China 'won't like' new Philippine laws on maritime zones, archipelagic sea lanes: expert

China 'won't like' new Philippine laws on maritime zones, archipelagic sea lanes: expert

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 08, 2024 03:56 PM PHT

Read More:

ABSNews

maritime zones

archipelagic sea lanes

West Philippine Sea

South China Sea

China

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Advertise with Us

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.