CANBERRA >> China is stepping up pressure on the Philippines to concede its sovereign rights in the South China Sea, Manila’s Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Tuesday after meeting his Australian counterpart in Canberra.

BEIJING — China rejected Philippine maritime claims on Sunday, saying new legislation “severely infringes on” Beijing’s territorial sovereignty and rights in the South China Sea, and vowing to protect its own interests.

Analysts say the Maritime Zones Act and Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act don't expand Manila's claims in the waterway, but China is unconvinced In a move that has sent ripples through the South China Sea, the Philippines has enacted two new laws aimed at clarifying maritime routes.