China Coast Guard empowered to detain SCS 'trespassers'

China is now looking at detaining for 60 days without trial suspected violators of its exit and entry laws covering what it considers its territorial waters, including almost the entire South China Sea.

- MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

The new rules, which Beijing intends to enforce by June 15, were made public yesterday following the success of the Atin Ito Coalition’s civilian peace and solidarity resupply mission to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), meanwhile, said such a statement “should be ignored.”

The China Coast Guard (CCG) is likely to lead the enforcement of what Beijing refers to as “maritime administrative law.” 

The new rules were deliberated and adopted on May 15, the same day that Atin Ito’s civilian mission to Panatag Shoal of the WPS officially began its trip.

Article 257 of the new directives pertaining to “foreigners suspected of violating entry and exit control” states that the CCG may detain persons while investigating for as long as two months.

“In any of the following circumstances, if the suspicion cannot be ruled out after on-the-spot interrogation or continued interrogation and further investigation is required, the person may be detained for review with the approval of the person in charge of the coast guard agency,” the new rules read.