China Activates China Coast Guard Rules Can Shoot Foreign Ships

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian in a regular press conference in Beijing, China on Monday (17/6). (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - The Chinese government has now activated regulations for the China Coast Guard (China Coast Guard) to use weapons force against all foreign ships that refuse to leave Chinese waters.

"This regulation was issued by the Chinese Coast Guard to enforce Chinese Coast Guard regulations, standardize coast guard administrative law enforcement procedures and enforce order at sea better," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular press conference in Beijing, China on Monday, as reported by ANTARA, Saturday 18 June.

The law, which has been issued since 2021, regulates permits for Chinese coast guards to fire on foreign ships, destroying buildings of other countries established on coral reefs that are claimed to belong to China and the right to inspect foreign vessels in waters called Chinese ownership.

"The regulation is consistent with universal practices. Regarding issues related to the South China Sea, the government seeks to handle differences and disputes well through negotiations and consultations with related countries, and at the same time firmly responds to any violations and provocative actions at sea," added Lin Jian.

In its implementation, China's Coast Guard on Monday (17/6) local time accused Philippine supply ships of ignoring warnings from and approaching Beijing patrol boats unprofessionally, causing a collision.

"On June 17, a supply ship and two Philippine'speed boats', without permission from the Chinese government infiltrated waters near Ren'ai Jiao in Nansha Qundao to send material, including construction workers, materials to illegally docked military vessels in Ren'ai Jiao," said Lin Jian.

Thus, the Chinese Coast Guard took the necessary control measures to stop Philippine ships by law.

"Manuver di tempat kejadian bersifat profesional, terkendali, dapat dibenarkan dan sah. Hal itu konsisten dengan praktik universal," tegas Lin Jian.

The Chinese government claims to have sovereign and jurisdictional rights over islands called "Nanhai Zhudao" in the South China Sea, consisting of Dongsha Qundao, Xisha Qundao, Zhongsha Qundao and Nansha Qundao or better known as Pratas Islands, Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands and Macclesfield Bank areas.

The coral island is called China by the name "Ren'ai Jiao", while by the Philippines as "Beting Ayungin" is part of the Spratly Islands disputed by the two countries, as well as several other Southeast Asian countries.

The South China Sea is still a hotspot 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 region.

The Philippines has placed the BRP Sierra Madre warship as a "floating headquarters" for the Philippine coast guard on the reef since 1999 and sent people to refuel at the floating headquarters.