A RANKING Chinese government official said the implementation of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act is “very dangerous” and “can lead to a more complicated situation.”
The Chinese official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that although the Chinese government has issued “a very lengthy” statement about the passage of the law, it needs to be reiterated that this move by the Philippine government “will only interfere” in efforts to address the South China Sea dispute.
“If [the Philippines] includes parts of the South China Sea that are disputed, then we have to respond,” the official said.
![This handout photo taken and released on December 10, 2023 by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shows a China Coast Guard vessel (R) using water cannon against the M/L Kalayaan chartered supply boat (C) during a mission to deliver provisions at Second Thomas Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. A Philippine boat was 'rammed' by a Chinese coast guard ship during a resupply mission on December 10, the Philippine coast guard said, in the latest such confrontation in the disputed South China Sea. The Philippine Coast Guard also said a Chinese ship 'water cannoned' three Philippine vessels involved in the resupply mission, causing 'serious engine damage' to one of the boats. Handout / Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) / AFP](https://www.manilatimes.net/manilatimes/uploads/images/2024/03/12/315032.jpg)
This handout photo taken and released on December 10, 2023 by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shows a China Coast Guard vessel (R) using water cannon against the M/L Kalayaan chartered supply boat (C) during a mission to deliver provisions at Second Thomas Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. A Philippine boat was ‘rammed’ by a Chinese coast guard ship during a resupply mission on December 10, the Philippine coast guard said, in the latest such confrontation in the disputed South China Sea. The Philippine Coast Guard also said a Chinese ship ‘water cannoned’ three Philippine vessels involved in the resupply mission, causing ‘serious engine damage’ to one of the boats. Handout / Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) / AFP
“By response, I mean if your fishermen intrude into our waters, the China Coast Guard will enforce our law, and we can arrest them, and then you will also enforce your law, and you would have to also arrest [Chinese who intrude into your waters]. That would make things worse,” he said.
The Chinese official said that because it is the law, the Philippines will have to implement it, and China, for its part, will be forced to implement its own laws.
“That will surely lead to conflict,” he said. “This means you are bringing all parties head to head. That is very dangerous.”
The Senate passed the Maritime Zones Act on February 26, after the House of Representatives passed a similar bill in May 2023.
The proposed law defines Philippine maritime zones in line with the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague that invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea. Beijing has refused to recognize the tribunal’s ruling.
The two versions of the bill will now be reconciled before being sent to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for signing into law.
China immediately protested the passage of the draft law, saying the act “has attempted to further enforce the illegal arbitral award on the South China Sea by domestic legislation.”
The Chinese foreign ministry said the act “severely violates China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea” by including Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), which the Chinese call Huangyan Dao, most islands and reefs in the Spratly archipelago, Nansha Qundao in Chinese, and their adjacent waters into its maritime zones.
“China firmly opposes it and has lodged solemn démarches to the Philippines,” the Chinese foreign ministry said.
It also blasted the 2016 arbitration ruling, which the Philippines had unilaterally initiated without the Chinese government’s prior consent and was therefore deemed “illegal” by Beijing.
“China neither accepts nor participates in that arbitration, neither accepts nor recognizes the award, and will never accept any claim or action arising from the award,” the foreign ministry declared.