On November 10, the Chinese government issued a statement on the territorial sea baseline of Huangyan Island, announcing the territorial sea baseline of Huangyan Island of the People’s Republic of China.
First, clarify rights
Drawing the baseline for Huangyan Island is China’s exercise and demonstration of sovereignty over Huangyan Island. After the territorial sea baseline is drawn, the scope of China’s maritime rights claim in Huangyan Island is clarified.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the marine area includes internal waters, territorial waters, contiguous zones, exclusive economic zones and continental shelves. Determining the boundaries and scope of these areas is related to the territorial sea baseline.
Second, safeguarding rights and interests
Philippine President Marcos signed the so-called Philippine “Maritime Zones Act” and “Archipelago Sea Lanes Act”. The former is based on the illegal ruling of the South China Sea arbitration case, and illegally included China’s Huangyan Island and most of the islands and reefs of the Nansha Islands and related waters into the Philippine marine area.
The announcement of the territorial sea baseline of Huangyan Island this time is only the first step. Whether the territorial sea baseline is drawn all at once, or in steps, regions, or stages, international law does not clearly stipulate.