China clamps new rules to regulate foreign ships in South China Sea and Taiwan Strait

In latest move by China to furr increase its authority on what it considers to be its own territorial waters, Beijing on August 29 notified new maritime rules warranting foreign vessels. Ships carrying rioactive materials, bulk oil, chemicals and a host of or supplies will now have to report details of cargos to China, on entering its waters. se latest rules by Chinese government are expected to furr escalate tensions with or nations if Beijing continues to enforce m because it claims almost entire South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. 

Recently, United States and its allies have been conducting its expeditions to challenge China’s claims that go against international law. America’s drills in Asian waters are also an attempt to assert freedom of navigation. China claims entire 1.3 million square-mile South China Sea as its own sovereign territory and has been criticised for building military bases on artificial islands in regions which are separately claimed by or nations including Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

As per notice from China’s maritime safety authorities, which was reportedly issued over weekend, operators of submersibles, nuclear vessels, along with ships carrying rioactive materials, carrying bulk oil, chemicals, liquefied gas among or toxic and harmful substances, are required to report detailed information upon visiting territorial waters. 

Apart from said vessels, even ships that might endanger maritime traffic safety of China prescribed by laws should here to latest regulations. As per Chinese state media, Global Times, new rules will take effect from September 1 according to notice from Maritime Safety ministration. vessels mentioned in notice should report name, call sign, current position and next port of call and estimated time of arrival. 

Chinese exports say new rules would increase security

Chinese experts told Global Times that according to m, new maritime regulations indicate ramped up efforts by country to safeguard national security at sea. As per reports, reference to submersible refers to spy devices which were discovered by Chinese fisherman along coastline of China. state media quoted Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator, said that latest announcement reveals China’s vow to regulate rights of foreign vessels within its claimed territorial waters. 

However, time of notification came just days after China raised concerns over passage of a United States Navy warship and Coast Guard cutter through waters between China and Taiwan. On Friday, USS Kidd guided-missile destroyer and Coast Guard cutter Munro sailed through Taiwan strait as country moves to increase its presence in Asia. Chinese Defence Ministry protested against move and ‘strongly condemned’ exercise. 

United States Coast Guard has been ramping up its presence in Asia. Meanwhile, Chinese coast guards patrol near disputed islands which are claimed by both Chinese and or governments in South and East China Seas. US and Taiwan coast guards even held talks this month after both nations signed a cooperation agreement in March. accord prompted China’s criticism.

(With PTI inputs)

IMAGE: AP