China told to stop enforcing domestic laws on PH maritime zones

DFA Building. (Photo: Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday night rebuked China for its “provocative behavior” at sea, including the enforcement of its domestic laws within the Philippines’ maritime zones, an apparent swipe at Beijing’s new Coast Guard rules.

“The Philippines urges China to stop its provocative behavior and distortion of the facts, including through enactment and enforcement of domestic laws and regulations that overreach into the legally-settled maritime zones of the Philippines in violation of international law,” it said in a statement.

“We call on China to show sincerity in working together to de-escalate the situation, in the spirit of dialogue and the peaceful settlement of disputes,” it added.

The latest DFA call was included in its lengthy statement welcoming the G7 leaders’ recent rejection of China’s “dangerous use of coast guard” in the South China Sea.

It also came hours after the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea confirmed that the People’s Liberation Army-Navy, Chinese Coast Guard, and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels have engaged in dangerous maneuvers, this time, involving “ramming and towing” during Manila’s conduct of regular resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal on June 17.

Beijing’s newly released law enforcement procedure for the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) took effect on June 15, allowing its Coast Guard to board, inspect, and detain foreign vessels or individuals in waters that China considers under its jurisdiction for up to 60 days.

To date, Beijing consistently asserts its claims over a huge swath of the South China Sea, including areas that fall within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The DFA earlier warned that China would be in “direct violation of international law” should it enforce these new regulations in the waters within its “illegal, null, and void” 10-dash-line in the South China Sea.