ASIATODAY.ID, BEIJING – The Chinese government has activated regulations for the China Coast Guard to use armed force against all foreign ships that refuse to leave Chinese waters.
“This regulation was issued by the China Coast Guard to enforce China Coast Guard regulations, standardize coast guard administrative law enforcement procedures and better enforce order at sea,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian at a regular press conference in Beijing, China on Monday, June 17 2024.
The law, which has been published since 2021, regulates permits for the Chinese coast guard to fire on foreign ships, destroy other countries’ buildings erected on coral reefs that China claims belong to. The coast guard also has the right to inspect foreign ships in waters that are said to be owned by China.
“The regulations are consistent with universal practice. Regarding issues related to the South China Sea, the government seeks to properly handle differences and disputes through negotiations and consultations with relevant countries, and at the same time resolutely respond to any violations and provocative actions in the sea ,” said Lin Jian.
In its application, the Chinese Coast Guard on Monday local time accused a Philippine supply ship of ignoring warnings from and approaching a Beijing patrol vessel unprofessionally. So the two ships caused a collision.
“On June 17, one supply ship and two Philippine speed boats, without permission from the Chinese government intruded into the waters near Ren’ai Jiao in Nansha Qundao to deliver materials, including construction workers, materials to a military ship anchored illegally in Ren’ai Jiao,” said Lin Jian.
Accordingly, the Chinese Coast Guard took necessary control measures to stop the Philippine vessels in accordance with the law.
“The maneuvers at the scene were professional, controlled, justifiable and legal. They were consistent with universal practice,” said Lin Jian.
The Chinese government claims to have sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the islands called ‘Nanhai Zhudao’ in the South China Sea, namely consisting of Dongsha Qundao, Xisha Qundao, Zhongsha Qundao and Nansha Qundao or better known as the Pratas Islands, Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands and the Tepi area. Macclesfield. China calls this coral island by the name Ren’ai Jiao.
Meanwhile, the Philippines calls it Ayungin Beting, which is part of the Spratly Islands which are disputed by the two countries, as well as several other Southeast Asian countries.
Until now, the South China Sea is still a hot spot for problems in the region because China claims almost all the waters in the South China Sea. A number of ASEAN member countries, namely Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines also claim the area.
The Philippines has stationed the BRP Sierra Madre warship as a ‘floating base’ for the Philippine coast guard on the coral reef since 1999 and sent people to replenish supplies at the floating base. (ATN)
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