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China Opposes New Philippine Maritime Law, Vows to Protect South China Sea ‘Sovereignty’

A floating barrier is placed at the entrance of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, February 22, 2024. (Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters)
A floating barrier is placed at the entrance of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, February 22, 2024. (Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters)
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China Opposes New Philippine Maritime Law, Vows to Protect South China Sea ‘Sovereignty’

A floating barrier is placed at the entrance of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, February 22, 2024. (Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters)
A floating barrier is placed at the entrance of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, February 22, 2024. (Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters)

China firmly opposes the Philippines' Maritime Zones Act, which it says "severely infringes on" its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Sunday in a statement.

This follows China's release of a statement on the baseline of "territorial waters" around the disputed Scarborough Shoal, which China claims as its territory.

China will continue to take all necessary legal measures to protect its sovereignty and maritime rights, the foreign ministry said.

The Scarborough Shoal, known in China as Huangyan Island, is a major point of contention over sovereignty and fishing rights.

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Iranian President: We Must Manage Relationship and Confrontation with the US Ourselves

Photo published by the Iranian presidency on Tuesday of a meeting chaired by Pezeshkian.
Photo published by the Iranian presidency on Tuesday of a meeting chaired by Pezeshkian.
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Iranian President: We Must Manage Relationship and Confrontation with the US Ourselves

Photo published by the Iranian presidency on Tuesday of a meeting chaired by Pezeshkian.
Photo published by the Iranian presidency on Tuesday of a meeting chaired by Pezeshkian.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on Tuesday for the “management” of the tense relations between Tehran and Washington, emphasizing the need to “deal with enemies with patience.” This statement comes a week after Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election.
According to official media, Pezeshkian told current and former senior officials in the diplomatic sector that Iran cannot ignore its longstanding adversary, the United States.
“Whether we like it or not, we will have to engage with the United States on both regional and international fronts; therefore, it is better that we manage this relationship and confrontation ourselves,” he stated.
Pezeshkian was speaking at an “advisory” meeting on foreign policy with former Iranian FMs and members of his administration, including Ali Akbar Velayati and Kamal Kharazi, the top advisors to the Supreme Leader on international affairs and foreign policy, along with former foreign minister and head of the Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi.
The Iranian presidency’s website quoted Pezeshkian as saying that his administration’s approach to foreign policy would be “within the framework of a comprehensive strategy aligned with the directives of the governing system,” indirectly referencing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The reformist-backed president stated: “We must treat our friends generously and approach our enemies with patience,” underscoring the importance of managing foreign relations and addressing international tensions to solve internal issues and promote development.
Several officials in Pezeshkian’s administration, along with pro-government newspapers, have hinted at discussions on the possibility of high-level negotiations with the Trump administration.
Earlier on Tuesday, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani stated that Iran would pursue whatever serves its “interests,” in response to a question on potential direct talks with the Trump administration.
“The government will strive to achieve whatever ensures the country’s interests and the values of the revolution,” she said, according to the government’s ISNA news agency.
She added that the final decision on negotiations rests with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Supreme National Security Council under his authority.