China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Mao Ning, gestures during a press conference in Beijing, China, Feb. 19, 2024. Andres Martinez Casares, EPA-EFE  

China on Tuesday opposed a proposed Philippine law that aimed to declare rights and entitlements over maritime zones and underwater features. 

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Mao Ning said the proposed “Maritime Zones Act” approved by the Philippine Senate would enforce the "illegal" arbitral award that invalidated Beijing's claims to the South China Sea. 

It will include China’s Huangyan Dao, most islands and reefs of China’s Nansha Qundao, and their adjacent waters into Philippine maritime zones, which would severely violate China’s territorial sovereignty, maritime rights, and interests, the official said.

"China firmly opposes it,” Mao said in a press conference.

She said reiterated China’s sovereignty over the Spratly Islands, including Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc.

Mao further accused the Philippines of illegal occupation in several features in the Spratly’s, namely Mahuan Dao or Lawak Island, Feixin Dao or Patag Island, Zhongye Dao or Pag-asa Island, Nanyao Dao or Kota Island, Beizi Dao or Parola Island, Xiyue Dao or Likas Island, Shuanghuang Shazhou or Loaita Nan Shoal, and Siling Jiao or Commodore Reef (also Rizal Reef).

The official went on to warn that the Maritime Zones Act would complicate the situation in the South China Sea.

“Under the pretext of implementing UNCLOS, the Philippines has advanced the legislation of the 'Maritime Zones Act' in an attempt to put a legal veneer on its illegal claims and actions in the South China Sea. Such an 'Act' goes against the provisions of international law, including the UN Charter and UNCLOS, and against the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. This egregious act will inevitably make the situation in the South China Sea more complex," Mao said.

Mao urged the Philippines to end actions that could escalate the maritime dispute between the two nations.

“China urges the Philippines to earnestly respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, immediately end any unilateral move that may escalate the dispute and complicate the situation, return to the right track of properly settling differences through negotiation and consultation as soon as possible and work with China to uphold the larger interest of the bilateral relations and keep the South China Sea peaceful and stable," she said.

China says US using Philippines as 'pawn' in South China Sea

The Philippines this week said China Coast Guard vessels caused two collisions with Philippine boats and water cannoned one of them during a resupply mission. 

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing aside competing claims from a host of Southeast Asian nations and an international arbitration ruling that has declared its stance baseless.