China drafts law to expand coastguard’s powers over islands and foreign vessels

Civilian patrols would be authorised to guard Chinese-controlled reefs and islands, including artificial islands

As well as protecting Chinese maritime assets, the law would allow the coastguard to prevent terrorism, smuggling and environmental crimes

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A draft law would define the scope of powers for the Chinese coastguard and its jurisdiction. Photo: Weibo

Published: 1:28pm, 6 Nov 2020Updated: 11:36pm, 6 Nov 2020

China has drafted a coastguard law that authorises its maritime law enforcers to demolish foreign constructions on Chinese-claimed reefs and allows the use of weapons against foreign ships.

The Chinese coastguard will also have the right to board, search, detain and expel foreign vessels, and arrest individuals suspected of seriously violating Chinese laws in the waters under Chinese jurisdiction, it stipulated.

The draft was released for public review on Wednesday on the website of the National People’s Congress and is expected to be approved during future sessions of the legislature body.

The draft law would make clear the Chinese coastguard’s role in maritime security, administrative law enforcement, criminal investigation and international cooperation. It would regulate the use of police equipment and arms and define the limits of the authority and the means and procedures to carry out its role.

The coastguard would oversee 11 aspects of the sea, such as patrolling Chinese-administered waters and guarding Chinese-controlled reefs and islands, including artificial islands.

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