MANILA, Philippines — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently signed two new laws aimed at reinforcing the country's maritime rights, including those in the disputed South China Sea. The move has drawn sharp criticism from China, which claims almost the entire waterway.

The newly signed laws—the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act—solidify the Philippines' claim over its maritime territories. These laws also establish penalties, including jail terms and hefty fines, for anyone who violates the country's territorial boundaries. The signing ceremony took place in front of top military and national security officials.

In response, China's foreign ministry summoned the Philippine ambassador to China, lodging a formal protest. A spokesperson for China condemned the Philippine laws, calling them an attempt to "solidify the illegal ruling of the South China Sea arbitration case through domestic legislation."

The South China Sea has become a flashpoint for tensions, with frequent confrontations between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and naval forces in the region. These incidents have raised concerns about the potential for a larger conflict, especially with the involvement of the United States, Manila's long-standing ally.

China's foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, said the new laws violate China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. "China strongly condemns and firmly opposes it," she said.

The South China Sea remains a highly contested area, with China asserting territorial claims over almost the entire sea using vague dash lines, a move that has been widely rejected by neighboring countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

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