An updated regulation allowing China's coast guard to detain foreigners suspected of trespassing in waters it claims for up to 60 days took effect on Saturday, raising concerns in countries such as the Philippines that have sovereignty disputes with it.
The new development is feared to further escalate tensions in the South China Sea, where Chinese and Philippine vessels often confront each other. The Chinese coast guard has fired water cannons at Philippine ships.
China claims virtually the entire South China Sea, a vital shipping route and an area of rich fishing grounds. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have competing claims in the sea.
Beijing also claims the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, calling them Diaoyu, and regularly sends its ships near the islets.
The updated regulation, unveiled in May this year, outlines procedures to crack down on illegal maritime activities. It is aimed at thoroughly implementing rules that took effect in 2021 to allow the coast guard to use weapons against foreign ships deemed to have illegally entered Chinese waters.
Earlier this month, coast guard authorities of the Philippines, Japan and the United States discussed ways to deal with the matter as they met in Singapore on the sidelines of the Asia Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue.
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