Coastguard, marine surveillance to be unified under single body
The State Oceanic Administration, which runs marine surveillance, will take over control of the coastguard from the public security ministry, fisheries patrols from the agriculture ministry, and customs’ marine anti-smuggling functions.
China is bring its maritime law enforcement bodies under a single command, a top official said Sunday with the country embroiled in a bitter row with Japan over disputed islands in the East China Sea.
The State Oceanic Administration, which runs marine surveillance, will take over control of the coastguard from the public security ministry, fisheries patrols from the agriculture ministry, and customs’ marine anti-smuggling functions.
The move was intended to “safeguard the country’s maritime rights and interests”, Ma Kai, secretary general of the State Council, China’s cabinet, told the National People’s Congress parliament meeting in Beijing, according to a copy of his speech.
“The effectiveness of law enforcement is not high and the ability to defend rights is inadequate,” the speech said.
The move comes as Beijing and Tokyo row over small islands in the East China Sea administered by Japan but claimed by China.
Chinese marine surveillance vessels regularly patrol what Beijing says are its waters around the Diaoyu islands, prompting accusations of territorial incursions by Tokyo, which refers to the outcrops as the Senkakus.