Beijing and Manila find themselves in renewed conflict over the South China Sea, with China rejecting recent Philippine maritime claims, saying the legislation “severely infringes on” China’s territorial sovereignty. China’s Foreign Ministry issued a firm statement on November 10, asserting its rejection of two recently signed Philippine laws that outline the country’s maritime entitlements and establish air and sea routes around Philippine-controlled regions.
The laws, signed by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on November 8, aim to define the country’s maritime rights, solidify its claim over contested waters, and reinforce its sovereignty amid ongoing disputes in the region.
“China firmly opposes this and will continue to take all necessary measures in accordance with the law to resolutely defend China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry declared. The intensifying rhetoric underscores a long-standing dispute over maritime territories that remain a flashpoint for diplomatic tensions between China, the Philippines, and other Southeast Asian nations.
The South China Sea holds significant strategic and economic value, with its waters providing a crucial route for international trade, a habitat for rich fishing grounds, and potential reserves of oil and gas. China claims nearly the entirety of the South China Sea as part of its territory, based on a controversial “nine-dash line” map. This expansive claim overlaps with the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and territorial claims of several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled against China’s claims, stating they had no basis under international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). However, China dismissed the ruling, continuing to build and militarize artificial islands, while its Coast Guard actively patrols contested areas.
The dispute has drawn the United States into the fray, as Washington supports the 2016 ruling and maintains a defense treaty with the Philippines, its long-time ally in the Asia-Pacific region. On November 8, President Marcos Jr. signed two laws that lay out the Philippines’ maritime boundaries, exclusive economic zones, and regulated air and sea lanes. The new legislation signals Manila’s intention to assert its sovereignty over contested waters, with specific guidelines that the Philippine government hopes will deter encroachments and provide a clearer framework for its claims in the South China Sea.
- Defined Maritime Zones: Clear boundaries that delineate Philippine-controlled waters and areas covered by the country’s EEZ. This includes zones extending 200 nautical miles from the country’s coastline, in line with the provisions of UNCLOS.
- Designated Air and Sea Routes: Air and maritime lanes for Philippine and international use, underscoring Manila’s claims and attempting to solidify control over its territories in the region.
- Reinforced Surveillance and Security: The laws will allow Manila to enhance surveillance over its maritime domains, particularly in disputed areas like Scarborough Shoal.
China’s Response: A Firm Rejection
In its November 10 statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry argued that the Philippine legislation “severely infringes on” China’s territorial sovereignty. It accused the Philippines of unilateral actions that complicate the existing framework of regional discussions, framing the Philippine laws as an attempt to create “illegal claims.”
The ministry reiterated that China views the Scarborough Shoal—referred to by China as Huangyan Island—as part of its territory, citing historical claims. This shoal is strategically located and a major point of contention between the two nations, both of whom depend on it for fishing. China has already established a baseline around the shoal, drawing a perimeter of “territorial waters” that it views as inviolable.
Chinese officials also condemned what they characterized as “repeated intrusions” by Philippine military and police vessels around the Scarborough Shoal, accusing Manila of facilitating “illegal fishing” activities by its citizens in the disputed zone. Beijing claims that its Coast Guard’s activities, including recent patrols, are lawful and designed to prevent encroachment and resource depletion in areas it regards as Chinese waters.
China has been aggressive in enforcing its maritime claims through its Coast Guard, whose legal powers have expanded since the passage of a 2021 law authorizing it to detain foreign vessels and remove structures in contested waters. This law has further strained relations with neighboring countries, many of whom accuse China of using “gray zone tactics”—military actions below the threshold of war—to assert dominance over the South China Sea.
The Chinese Coast Guard has frequently intercepted vessels, issued warnings, and even seized fishing boats from other nations operating within what they claim is their territory. Tensions between the Chinese and Philippine Coast Guards have become common, with several incidents of confrontations, near-collisions, and disputed detainments. Observers note that China’s use of its Coast Guard to enforce its territorial claims in this way is part of a strategy to assert control over contested waters without resorting to open military conflict.
The Philippines’ efforts to solidify its territorial claims have received support from its allies, particularly the United States. Following the signing of the new laws, the U.S. Embassy in Manila released a statement reiterating Washington’s commitment to upholding the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration and to defending the Philippines under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which pledges U.S. assistance in the event of an armed attack on the Philippines.
The U.S. has also increased its military presence in the region over the past year, conducting joint exercises with the Philippine military and expanding the scope of their defense cooperation. In August 2024, the U.S. and the Philippines engaged in a large-scale naval exercise focused on protecting maritime sovereignty, a move widely seen as a warning to Beijing.
Meanwhile, regional players like Vietnam and Malaysia, who also have claims in the South China Sea, are watching developments closely. Vietnam has consistently challenged China’s sweeping claims, while Malaysia has lodged formal protests over recent Chinese Coast Guard activities within its EEZ. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has long sought a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea, a document that would set rules and guidelines for resolving disputes, though progress has been slow due to diverging interests and China’s dominant influence.
The new legislation has met with widespread support in the Philippines, where public opinion is largely against Chinese incursions in the South China Sea. A recent survey showed that the majority of Filipinos view China’s actions in the disputed areas as hostile, and many back the government’s efforts to reinforce territorial sovereignty.
However, President Marcos Jr. faces significant challenges in enforcing the laws. While the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard have bolstered their presence, they remain significantly smaller and less equipped than China’s maritime forces. To counter this, Manila has sought greater defense and technical assistance from allies like the United States and Japan, though concerns remain over how effectively the Philippines can manage confrontations with Chinese vessels.
The latest legislation and China’s rejection set the stage for increased confrontations in the South China Sea, with potential consequences for both regional stability and international trade.
- Increased Diplomatic Efforts: The Philippines and China may seek renewed diplomatic dialogue to ease tensions, though past efforts have often stalled. ASEAN’s role as a mediator may also be tested, as the group faces pressure to address the conflict within a multilateral framework.
- Escalating Coast Guard Clashes: Without diplomatic solutions, incidents between the Philippine and Chinese Coast Guards are likely to continue, raising the risk of miscalculations or accidents that could spark broader conflicts.
- Involvement of International Bodies: Manila could once again appeal to the United Nations or other international bodies to address China’s dismissal of the 2016 ruling. Though any resolution may lack enforceable power, it would bring greater international attention to the issue.
- Strengthened U.S.-Philippine Defense Cooperation: If China intensifies its presence around Philippine waters, the U.S. could increase its own military presence as a show of support, likely escalating tensions with China.
