China said yesterday there is nothing to worry about its new Coast Guard regulation authorizing detention of trespassers into its waters as long as they have “not done anything illicit.”
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin made the statement after Beijing implemented a new regulation that would allow its maritime authorities to interrogate and detain for up to 60 days foreigners who will commit illegal entry or exit into its territorial waters.
China’s new regulation raised concern in the Philippines which continues to assert its claim over the West Philippine Sea.
But Wang gave assurance that it is just “consistent with universal practices.”
“The regulations are rolled out by China Coast Guard to standardize the administrative law-enforcement procedures of Coast Guard agencies and better uphold order at sea,” he stressed.
The CCG new regulation came at the height of tensions between China anbd the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea.
Meanwhile, Wang also blamed the Philippines for the huge destruction of coral reefs in Pag-Asa Island.
He claimed that the Philippines’ supposed illegal occupation of the island and its activities there caused the destruction.
“If any environmental degradation appears in those waters, it is the Philippines who needs to reflect on its behavior, instead of wrongly accusing China,” Wang said.
