Beijing seeks boost for armed police, coastguard as tensions rise in South China Sea
- Paramilitary force will come under centralised command and it will get more resources under draft revision to the law
- It also sets out tasks and gives guidance on defence and combat at sea, including scenarios in which weapons can be used
China is moving to boost the power of its armed police and the role of its coastguard in maritime law enforcement at a time of renewed tensions with its neighbours in the South China Sea.
A draft law revision submitted to the country’s top legislature on Sunday proposes changes including centralising command of the People’s Armed Police and giving it more resources, state news agency Xinhua reported.
It also specifies punishment for anyone who obstructs armed police officers carrying out law enforcement, the report said, without elaborating.
China’s 1.5 million-strong armed police is a paramilitary force mainly responsible for internal security, riot control, anti-terrorism, law enforcement and protecting maritime rights. The country’s coastguard, whose vessels are increasingly seen in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, is controlled by the armed police.
The amendment seeks to move the armed police directly under the command of the Communist Party’s Central Committee as well as the Central Military Commission (CMC), both of which are chaired by President Xi Jinping. It has been under CMC control since 2017.