China’s baselines near Scarborough Shoal aim to ‘exert more pressure’ on Philippines: analysts

China declared its maritime baselines around Scarborough Shoal after the Philippines passed laws defining its maritime zones and sea lanes last week

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A China Coastguard vessel patrols in waters adjacent to the Scarborough Shoal. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 6:21pm, 13 Nov 2024

The Philippines denouncement of China’s newly declared baselines around the contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea reflects a new legal front in the territorial conflict, with analysts saying Beijing is “cherry-picking” maritime laws to legitimise its claims.

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro accused Beijing of “stepping up pressure on the Philippines” on Tuesday after China announced baselines around the contested shoal, which lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

“What we see is an increasing demand by Beijing for us to concede our sovereign rights in the area,” Teodoro said after meeting Australian counterpart Richard Marles in Canberra, adding that the Philippines was a “victim of Chinese aggression”.

Also on Tuesday, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs announced that it has filed an official protest against China’s baseline declaration – its 56th complaint this year regarding disputes in the South China Sea.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr delivers a speech after signing two new maritime laws on November 8. Photo: EPA-EFE

This follows Beijing’s foreign ministry publishing of baselines around the contested shoal on Sunday. The announcement came after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jnr, announced on Friday the signing of the Maritime Zones Act and Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act. Together, these laws define the country’s maritime territories and regulate the passage of foreign vessels through those areas.