Ferdinand Marcos Jr made a bold move today signing two important maritime-related laws that protect Philippines rights to use sea resources (including those in South China Sea area); these laws dont align with what Beijing thinks belongs to them
The new laws show exactly where Philippines sea borders are located — making it super-clear which parts of ocean and whats underneath belong to the country. This step created quick push-back from their bigger neighbor
China didnt waste time showing its anger: they called Philippines ambassador right away to their foreign-affairs office for a not-so-friendly chat. Beijingʼs foreign ministry made it known they are really not happy saying Philippines is trying to make legal something that isnt through their local rules and such
The whole situation shows how both countries see things different when it comes to who owns what in South China Sea — its been a long-running back-and-forth between them that keeps going on