Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed two laws reaffirming the extent of his country’s maritime territories and right to resources, including in the South China Sea, where the new laws clash with Beijing’s extensive territorial claims.

Beijing has condemned two laws enacted by Manila, saying they breach Chinese rights in the Sea, while calling on the Philippines to "immediately stop any unilateral actions that could escalate disputes".

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr signed two laws on Friday aimed at strengthening the country's maritime claims and bolstering its territorial integrity, as tensions with China over disputed areas in the South China Sea persist.

Western powers pledged continued support for the Philippines in the South China Sea on Friday, November 8, even as they face political transitions at home and stretched military resources from global crises.

The Philippine military has opened two weeks of combat drills that will include seizing an island in the disputed South China Sea and likely be frowned upon by China.

See how China has spent tens of billions of dollars turning farm fields and seaports into military complexes on Hainan and remote outposts in the South China Sea.

BEIJING/MANILA >> China summoned the Philippines’ ambassador on Friday to express its objection to two new laws in the Southeast Asian nation asserting maritime rights and sovereignty over disputed areas of the South China Sea,