President Marcos believes that nothing has changed between the Philippines and China as both countries insist on their rights over portions of the West Philippine Sea.

Marcos said this as China rejected the newly signed laws on the Philippines' Maritime Zones and Archipelagic Sea Lanes.

In an interview with reporters in Tagaytay City, the President said the dynamics between the Philippines and China remain the same as both countries are still at odds over their respective definitions of sovereignty.

"Sinasabi nila (They are saying) that we do not agree and you will – that they will continue to protect what they defined as their sovereign territory. Of course, we do not agree with their definition of sovereign territory," he said on Thursday, Nov. 14.

"So, wala naman pinagbago dahil ganoon pa rin ang sitwasyon natin (So nothing has changed. Our situation is the same)," he added.

Early this week, Marcos said China's opposition to the new laws was "not unexpected."

President Marcos signed into law on Nov. 8 the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act—two measures that aim to protect the country's sovereignty and jurisdiction in its waters.

Republic Act (RA) No. 12064, or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, declares the Philippine sovereignty and defines sovereign rights over the maximum extent of its maritime zones, such as internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zones, exclusive economic zones (EEZ) and continental shelf in compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), existing laws and treaties.

Meanwhile, RA No. 12065, or the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, ensures the protection of the country’s sovereignty and maritime domain by designating the routes and areas that shall be utilized and accessed by foreign military vessels and foreign registered aircraft for passage, under the UNCLOS and the Chicago Convention.

Marcos believes the two new measures will assert the country's rights as an archipelagic state while fulfilling its obligations under international law.

"The passage of these two priority bills fully demonstrates our commitment as a responsible member of the international community and our advocacy to uphold rules-based international order," he said.

"In the same breath, these [laws] signal our resolve to protect our maritime resources, preserve our rich biodiversity, and ensure that our waters remain a source of life and livelihood for all Filipinos," he added.

Likewise, Marcos believes that the twin laws prove the Filipinos' commitment to ensuring the safety and prosperity of their maritime domain and the country's firm faith in its identity as a maritime nation.