China firmly opposes Philippines approving 'Maritime Zones Act'

China firmly opposes the Senate of the Philippines approving the "Maritime Zones Act" and has lodged solemn démarches to the Philippines, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks in response to a related query at a daily news briefing.

Mao said China noticed the relevant developments. The "Maritime Zones Act" approved by the Senate of the Philippines has attempted to further enforce the illegal arbitral award on the South China Sea by domestic legislation and include China's Huangyan Dao, most islands and reefs of China's Nansha Qundao, and their adjacent waters into its maritime zones, which severely violates China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.