China Rejects Philippines Maritime Zones Act and Baselines

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China issued a statement on July 31 firmly rejecting the Philippines' delimitation of territorial sea baselines regarding Huangyan Dao. Chinese officials characterized the move as a grave infringement of territorial sovereignty and a violation of international law, including the United Nations Charter and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The ministry also condemned the Philippines' Maritime Zones Act for illegally including Huangyan Dao and islands of the Nansha Qundao.

China further dismissed the South China Sea arbitration award as illegal and null and void, warning of resolute responses to further provocations. State-affiliated commentary via Xinhua described the 10-year-old award as a political farce, arguing that the Philippines violated international law by initiating proceedings without China's consent and that the tribunal exceeded its authority by ruling on territorial sovereignty.

Chinese narratives reject accusations of coercion in the region, instead claiming that external powers provoke tensions through military deployments and reconnaissance. The government maintains that it holds historic rights and sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands based on historical practice and postwar international agreements.