Vessels from the U.S. and Chinese coast guards sail alongside each other somewhere in the northern Pacific Ocean in 2014. U.S. COAST GUARD
Stars and Stripes: Chinese law would allow coast guard to fire on foreign vessels in its waters
The China Coast Guard would be allowed to use weapons against foreign ships in its waters under a proposed revision to its maritime police law, according to a translated version of the document.
China’s National People’s Congress last month drafted the revised law, which has yet to be enacted, according to a Wednesday report by the Chinese legislation blog NPC Observer. The coast guard would be authorized to use weapons “in the case of unlawful infringement by a national organization or individual,” according to the translated draft. It also OKs “all necessary measures to stop the infringement and eliminate the danger on the spot.”
China routinely accuses the United States of infringing on its sovereignty by sending naval vessels through contested waters. Those freedom-of-navigation operations challenge Chinese claims in the South China Sea that are unrecognized by international law.
The Navy regularly sends its vessels within 12 nautical miles of the Spratly and Paracel islands, areas China claims as territorial waters, but the U.S. considers open to international passage.
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WNU Editor: China is telling everyone not to worry .... Foreign media stir trouble by hyping China's draft coast guard law (Global Times). I am worried. China has views on what is its "waters" that run contrary to what everyone else is thinking.
More News On China Now Permitting Its Coast Guard To Fire On Foreign Vessels In Its Waters
Japan Could Face The Brunt Of Chinese Navy As Beijing Drafts Another Powerful Law Over Contested Waters -- EurAsian Times
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