BEIJING: China summoned the Philippines' ambassador on Friday (Nov 8) to express its objection to two new laws in the Southeast Asian nation asserting maritime rights and sovereignty over dispute

The “West Philippine Sea” is finally enshrined in the country’s law following the passage of two landmark measures that fully define the country’s maritime boundaries and designate legal sea lanes but whether or not China will respect these laws remains murky. But do we even need China to recognize it?

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday, November 8, signed into law two measures that would give the country’s claim over the West Philippine Sea more teeth: the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.   

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed two laws reaffirming the extent of his country’s maritime territories and right to resources, including in the South China Sea, where the new laws clash with Beijing’s extensive territorial claims.

(Bloomberg) — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. enacted on Friday two laws bolstering his nation’s maritime claims, drawing criticism from Beijing as South China Sea tensions persist.