China floats plans for international maritime legal centre amid territorial disputes
Proposal comes amid rising tensions with nation’s neighbours over disputed waters
China will set up an “international maritime judicial centre” as it seeks to project its power at sea and territorial tensions rise with its neighbours.
The move was expected to improve Beijing’s expertise in legal issues and raise its profile in international arbitration, observers said.
Delivering a work report at the National People’s Congress on Sunday, Supreme People’s Court chief Zhou Qiang said China would improve the work of its maritime courts. Courts across China should work to implement the goal of building the nation into a “maritime power” and the “One Belt, One Road” strategy, he said.
“To resolutely defend national sovereignty, maritime rights and interests, and other core interests, we will strengthen our capacity in maritime cases and establish an international maritime judicial centre,” he said.
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Zhou gave no details about the centre but his report comes as China locks horns with Japan and Southeast Asian neighbours over claims in the East and South China seas.
The Philippines has filed a case with an arbitration court in The Hague over the disputes in the South China Sea, and a ruling is expected in May.