Philippines Enacts New Maritime Protection Laws

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines has enacted two significant laws—the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act—to assert the country's maritime rights and combat increasing Chinese encroachment in the South China Sea, also known as the West Philippine Sea. These laws define the Philippines' maritime zones in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and impose penalties for foreign violations. The United States has expressed strong support for these measures, emphasizing the need for adherence to international law in maritime claims. In response, China has condemned the laws, summoning the Philippine ambassador to protest what it views as an infringement on its sovereignty. Marcos's administration aims to uphold a rules-based order in the region while navigating heightened tensions with China. The implementation of these laws may face challenges given China's military assertiveness in the area.