China can now detain foreigners for trespassing in the disputed South China Sea, as per new rules introduced by the country's coast guard on Saturday (June 15), the news agency AFP reported.

China can now detain foreigners for trespassing in the disputed South China Sea, as per new rules introduced by the country's coast guard on Saturday (June 15), the news agency AFP reported. From Saturday, the Chinese Coast Guard can detain foreigners "suspected of violating management of border entry and exit," the rules state. The rules add that detention is allowed up to 60 days in "complicated cases." "Foreign ships that have illegally entered China's territorial waters and the adjacent waters may be detained," they further state. China claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea, brushing aside competing claims from several Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines, and an international ruling that its stance has no legal basis. Also read | Philippines asserts security independence amid South China Sea tensions Over the years, Beijing has deployed coast guard and other boats to patrol the waters and has turned several reefs into militarised artificial islands. The G7 criticism The new regulations by the Chinese Coast Guard came into force as the G7 accused Beijing of intimidation and coercion in the South China Sea. On Friday, the G7 criticised what it called "dangerous" incursions by China in the South China Sea. Also watch | SOUTH CHINA SEA: Will China’s floating nuclear reactors intensify tensions in region? | WION Decodes × "We oppose China's militarisation, and coercive and intimidation activities in the South China Sea," the G7 said in a statement. China defends new rules China has defended the detention rules. Recently, a foreign ministry spokesperson said that the rules were intended to "better uphold order at sea." Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun, meanwhile, warned that there were limits to Beijing's restraint in the South China Sea. The South China Sea is a vital waterway. The recent confrontations between China and the Philippines have raised fears of a wider conflict over the sea that could involve the United States (US) and other allies. (With inputs from agencies)

China can detain foreigners for trespassing in disputed South China Sea

Philippine foreign policy experts and lawmakers have asked President Rodrigo Duterte to end his "policy of subservience" towards China, saying the Filipino leader's silence is leading to hundreds of Chinese vessels lining up in Manila's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea.

Though military chief and country's top diplomat have asked China to withdraw its vessels from the region, Duterte has maintained his silence over the issue.&nbsp;

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Earlier his spokesperson said that the Filipino president is pursuing "diplomatic initiatives" in "private".&nbsp;

On Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard said that despite continual demands to Chinese vessels to leave Whitsun Reef, at least 240 Chinese vessels were present in the area till Wednesday, Al Jazeera reported.&nbsp;

The ships were first seen on March 7 at Whitsun Reef, which is about 320 km (200 miles) west of Palawan Island and in the Philippine EEZ, according to the International Court of Arbitration at The Hague.&nbsp;

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Opposition Senator Leila de Lima on Thursday said that the country could become "just another one of China's satellites" if Duterte and the Philippines military fail to confront Beijing.&nbsp;

She also said that despite the US's support regarding Manila's position in the South China Sea, the Filipino president's "policy of grovelling before China" could damage the integrity of the country's territory. &nbsp;

 
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Philippine foreign policy experts and lawmakers have asked President Rodrigo Duterte to end his "policy of subservience" towards China, saying the Filipino leader's silence is leading to hundreds of Chinese vessels lining up in Manila's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea.

Philippine foreign policy experts and lawmakers have asked President Rodrigo Duterte to end his "policy of subservience" towards China, saying the Filipino leader's silence is leading to hundreds of Chinese vessels lining up in Manila's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea. Though military chief and country's top diplomat have asked China to withdraw its vessels from the region, Duterte has maintained his silence over the issue. Watch | Earlier his spokesperson said that the Filipino president is pursuing "diplomatic initiatives" in "private". On Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard said that despite continual demands to Chinese vessels to leave Whitsun Reef, at least 240 Chinese vessels were present in the area till Wednesday, Al Jazeera reported. The ships were first seen on March 7 at Whitsun Reef, which is about 320 km (200 miles) west of Palawan Island and in the Philippine EEZ, according to the International Court of Arbitration at The Hague. Also read | Philippines summons Chinese ambassador over reef dispute in South China Sea Opposition Senator Leila de Lima on Thursday said that the country could become "just another one of China's satellites" if Duterte and the Philippines military fail to confront Beijing. She also said that despite the US's support regarding Manila's position in the South China Sea, the Filipino president's "policy of grovelling before China" could damage the integrity of the country's territory.

Philippine President Duterte asked to confront China in South China Sea

The Pentagon on Thursday expressed its concern about China's decision to conduct military exercises&nbsp;in a disputed island in the South China Sea, noting the act will "further destabilise" the situation.&nbsp;

"The Department of Defense is concerned about the People's Republic of China (PRC) decision to conduct military exercises around the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on July 1-5," the Pentagon, in a statement, said, reported AFP.

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It further said that carrying the military exercises will further "further destabilise the situation" in the disputed area claimed by Taiwan, Vietnam, and China.&nbsp;

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The Pentagon also reminded Beijing of its "commitments under the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", which called for avoiding "activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability."

It also said that the activities are a part of a long list of Chinese acts "to assert unlawful maritime claims and disadvantage its Southeast Asian neighbours in the South China Sea."

Urging all the parties to refrain from military activities, the Pentagon said it will continue monitoring Chinese military activity.&nbsp;

China considers a major part of the South China Sea, including the Paracels as its own territory, claims that the US rejects.&nbsp;

Washington and Beijing's relations hit a new low following the outbreak of coronavirus, where the Trump administration blamed China for hiding information about the deadly virus.&nbsp;

The US has also cut its ties with the World Health Organization (WHO), accusing the health agency of shielding China.&nbsp; 
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The Pentagon on Thursday expressed its concern about China's decision to conduct military exercises in a disputed island in the South China Sea, noting the act will "further destabilise" the situation.

The Pentagon on Thursday expressed its concern about China's decision to conduct military exercises in a disputed island in the South China Sea, noting the act will "further destabilise" the situation. "The Department of Defense is concerned about the People's Republic of China (PRC) decision to conduct military exercises around the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on July 1-5," the Pentagon, in a statement, said, reported AFP. Also read | China's Hong Kong security law: a threat to the whole world It further said that carrying the military exercises will further "further destabilise the situation" in the disputed area claimed by Taiwan, Vietnam, and China. Also read | China is losing the trade war. Here's how The Pentagon also reminded Beijing of its "commitments under the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", which called for avoiding "activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability." It also said that the activities are a part of a long list of Chinese acts "to assert unlawful maritime claims and disadvantage its Southeast Asian neighbours in the South China Sea." Urging all the parties to refrain from military activities, the Pentagon said it will continue monitoring Chinese military activity. China considers a major part of the South China Sea, including the Paracels as its own territory, claims that the US rejects. Washington and Beijing's relations hit a new low following the outbreak of coronavirus, where the Trump administration blamed China for hiding information about the deadly virus. The US has also cut its ties with the World Health Organization (WHO), accusing the health agency of shielding China.

China military exercises in South China Sea will 'further destabilise' the situation: Pentagon