China has called on the Philippines not to be alarmed by its new coast guard regulations that permit the detention of foreigners in the international seas, as long as no illegal activities are involved. This assertion comes amid heightened tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) or South China Sea.
In a press conference on Wednesday night, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized that the regulations aim to standardize law enforcement and enhance maritime order.
Mao further claimed that the new rules align with international practices, asserting that “individuals and entities have no need for concern as long as they have not done anything illicit.”
“China’s door of dialogue and communication with the Philippines remains open,” he added.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued the statement in response to President Marcos’s remarks that the new coast guard rules are an escalation and “worrisome.”
China’s new regulation, effective June 15, enforces a 2021 coast guard law allowing the detention of foreigners suspected of trespassing.
This move has raised concerns among countries with competing claims in the South China Sea, or WPS for the Filipinos, a crucial maritime route with over $3 trillion in annual trade.
President Marcos, during his recent state visit to Brunei, emphasized that the Philippines would use every possible avenue to halt China’s aggressive actions and ensure the rights of Filipino fishermen in the WPS.
“Yes, of course, there are. I’ve said it many times. You should try everything,” Marcos said, indicating ongoing efforts to resolve the issue through meetings and backchannel negotiations with China.
China’s expansive claims over the South China Sea, which overlap with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei, were invalidated by a 2016 ruling from a United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
However, Beijing has refused to recognize this decision, continuing to assert its sovereignty over the contested waters.
