New China rules allow the detention of foreigners in South China Sea

The G7 and neighboring countries have accused Beijing of coercion and intimidation in the disputed South China Sea, where foreigners who breach are subject to detention under new Coast Guard regulations that went into force on Saturday.

Beijing ignores opposing claims from many Southeast Asian countries, such as the Philippines, and an international decision that says its position lacks legal foundation in favor of its nearly total territorial claims over the South China Sea.

China has militarized numerous reefs into man-made islands and uses coast guard and other vessels to patrol the seas. There have been several incidents involving Chinese and Philippine warships in disputed areas.

From Saturday, China’s coast guard can detain foreigners “suspected of violating management of border entry and exit”, according to the new regulations published online.

Detention is allowed up to 60 days in “complicated cases”, they say.

“Foreign ships that have illegally entered China’s territorial waters and the adjacent waters may be detained.”

The President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, described the new regulations as a “very worrisome” escalation last month. Manila has accused the Chinese Coast Guard of “barbaric and inhumane behaviour” against Philippine vessels.

In the disputed waters, China Coast Guard ships have repeatedly deployed water cannon against Philippine boats.

Additionally, Filipino servicemen have been hurt in collisions.

Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner told reporters on Friday that authorities in Manila were “discussing a number of steps to be undertaken in order for us to protect our fishermen”.

Philippine fishermen were told “not to be afraid, but just to go ahead with their normal activities to fish there in our Exclusive Economic Zone”, Brawner said.

The Group of Seven bloc on Friday criticised what it called “dangerous” incursions by China in the waterway.

“We oppose China’s militarisation, and coercive and intimidation activities in the South China Sea,” read a G7 statement at the end of a summit on Friday..