MANILA, Philippines – China’s Department of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the enactment of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, adding that it summoned the Philippine Ambassador to China to that he “make serious protests” against this decision.

At a press conference on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the Philippine maritime zones law “illegally included” Panatag Shoal – which they call Huangyan Dao – in the zones maritime areas of the country.

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“The law also aims to further consolidate the illegal South China Sea arbitral award in the form of national legislation. The move seriously violates China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. We strongly condemn it and firmly oppose it,” Mao said.

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She then asserted that China’s territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea are firmly rooted in history and law.

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“The Philippines seeks to justify its claims and illegal actions in the South China Sea by approving the so-called Maritime Zones Law in the name of implementing UNCLOS,” Mao said.

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According to her, China will firmly oppose any “infringement and provocation activities” by the Philippines in the South China Sea on the basis of law.

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China’s continued aggression in Philippine waters is driven by a blanket claim to most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.

However, it has long since been rejected by an arbitration tribunal.