**Philippine President Signs Laws to Assert Maritime Rights Amid Escalating Tensions with China**

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has enacted two significant laws aimed at affirming the nation’s maritime territories and rights to resources, particularly in the hotly contested South China Sea. This move has sparked a vehement reaction from China, which claims almost the entire waterway. China's foreign ministry has called the Philippines' ambassador to lodge a "stern protest," denouncing the laws as an attempt to "solidify the illegal ruling of the South China Sea arbitration case through domestic legislation."

Confrontations between Chinese and Philippine maritime forces in the disputed region have increased sharply since last year, leading to concerns that the United States, a longtime ally of the Philippines, could be drawn into a major conflict. The new laws, known as the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, were signed by President Marcos in a televised ceremony, emphasizing Manila’s stance against China’s territorial claims.

“These laws underline our determination to protect our maritime resources, maintain our diverse ecosystem, and ensure that our waters sustain the livelihood of all Filipinos,” said Marcos.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning condemned the move, stating it "seriously infringes on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea."

The Philippine Maritime Zones Act defines the country's maritime territories, asserting full sovereignty and rights according to international law, specifically the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This includes the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), a 200-nautical-mile stretch where the Philippines has exclusive rights to resources. Foreign vessels are allowed "innocent passage" through this zone as long as it doesn’t threaten the coastal state's security.

The Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act allows the Philippines to regulate designated sea lanes and air routes within its archipelago in accordance with international law, enhancing its ability to safeguard against potential infringements.

National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano noted, “These legal instruments solidify our territory and enhance our capacity to safeguard our nation against any infringement.”

President Marcos emphasized that the laws are in line with international law and the UNCLOS, although they starkly contrast with Beijing’s claims and are expected to be rejected by China. It's uncertain how effectively the Philippines can enforce these new laws amid China's assertive actions to bolster its claims.

The maritime zones bill explicitly states that any artificial islands within the Philippine EEZ are the property of the Philippine government. This directly challenges China’s transformation of several disputed reefs into fortified island bases, including the Mischief Reef within the Philippine EEZ.

The new legislation draws legitimacy from the UNCLOS, Philippine laws, and a 2016 international arbitration ruling that nullified China’s extensive territorial claims based on historical grounds—a ruling that China has consistently rejected and defied.

The increasing aggression in the South China Sea, along with the U.S.’s commitment to defend the Philippines under a mutual defense treaty, continues to heighten tensions and the risk of broader conflict in the region.