China to boost maritime presence in disputed sea zone

China is to strengthen its presence at sea to protect its territorial sovereignty and safeguard freedom of navigation in Chinese-administered waters, according to the draft of the government’s five-year plan released yesterday.

The commitment comes amid rising tensions between China, its neighbours and the US over Beijing’s increasingly assertive territorial claims in the East and South China seas.

An entire section of the draft plan released at the National People’s Congress was ­devoted to protecting the nation’s maritime interests, with the main focus on sovereignty and security. The ­topic was only briefly mentioned in the previous five-year blueprint for the nation’s development. ­

The pledges include boosting maritime law enforcement, ­ensuring freedom of navigation and security in Chinese waters and “appropriately dealing with infringements” of rights at sea.

Premier Li Keqiang (李克強) also said during his work report delivered to the legislature yesterday that the government would increase its capacity to protect its interests overseas.

The defence budget is planned to rise by 7.6 per cent this year to 954 billion yuan (HK$1.1 trillion).

“We will strengthen in a coordinated way military preparedness on all fronts and for all scenarios and work meticulously to ensure combat readiness and border, coastal and air defence control,” Li said.