China tells PH: No need to worry over new rules

But accuses PH anew of provocation

NEW rules that allow China’s coast guard to detain foreigners trespassing in the South China Sea should not be a cause for concern, Beijing said after President Marcos Jr. said the policy is “worrisome” and an “escalation” of tension in the disputed area.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the policy aims only to standardize law enforcement procedures of its coast guard.

“The regulations are rolled out by China Coast Guard to standardize the administrative enforcement procedures of Coast Guard agencies and better uphold order at sea,” Mao said in a press briefing Wednesday in Beijing.

“It is consistent with universal practices. Individuals and entities have no need for concern as long as they have not done anything illicit,” she added.

But Mao also accused the Philippines of escalating the tension by making “repeated provocations.”

“China’s door of dialogue and communication with the Philippines remains open, but it’s important to note that dialogue requires sincerity and whatever is agreed in dialogue must be acted upon, rather than talking about the need for dialogue while continuing to make provocations,” she added.

President Marcos, asked in Brunei last Wednesday about the four-month fishing ban imposed by China, said China’s policy allowing its coast guard to detain foreign trespassers in the South China Sea is an “escalation” of the situation and “very worrisome” for the country.

He said the fishing ban is not new and was actually being implemented based on the season but the detention of supposed trespassers is a different matter.

“The new policy of threatening to detain our own citizens, that is different. That is an escalation of the situation. So, yes, it is now very worrisome,” he said.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a vital conduit for more than $5 trillion of goods annually. Its claim anchored on the so-called nine-dash line overlap with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

In 2016, the Netherlands-based Permanent Court of Arbitration rejected China’s sweeping claim in the South China Sea as it ruled in favor of the Philippines. But China rejected the