Two new Philippine maritime laws that drew instant protest from Beijing could help Manila settle long-standing territorial disputes with its Southeast Asian neighbors in the South China Sea.

The United States has lauded the Philippines’ enactment of the Maritime Zones Act that seeks to further buttress the country’s sovereign rights over its waters, particularly the West Philippine Sea, in accordance with international law.

NEW laws defining the country's maritime zones and archipelagic boundaries drew fire from China while eliciting support from the United States late Friday. Beijing summoned the Philippine ambassador to China to lodge formal protests over the enactment of the "Maritime Zones Act" and the "Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act,