‘It’s a time bomb’: Philippine analysts say Beijing’s coastguard law sets stage for armed conflict in South China Sea
- The new law allows China’s coastguard to fire on foreign vessels in disputed waters and demolish structures built by other countries, prompting Manila to file a diplomatic protest
- Experts say the legislation presents a serious threat to Filipino fisherfolk in their own waters, and could see the eruption of violence potentially drawing in Manila’s treaty ally, the US
The legislation “contradicts the principle of freedom of navigation recognised by international maritime law”, said Fernando Hicap, chairperson of Pamalakaya, a federation of small fisherfolk organisations that has been vocal in asserting Philippine sovereignty in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
In a statement, he warned that the law “is virtually a declaration of war against countries that are legitimate claimants of the Chinese-claimed marine territory”.
According to the bill’s draft wording, the Chinese coastguard is allowed to use “all necessary means” to stop or prevent threats from foreign vessels, and specifies the circumstances under which different weapons – hand held, ship borne or airborne – can be used.
It also allows the coastguard to board and inspect foreign vessels in waters claimed by China, and to demolish structures built by other countries in disputed waters.
The move prompted the Philippines’ Secretary of Foreign Affairs to file a diplomatic protest to Beijing. “While enacting law is a sovereign prerogative, this one — given the area involved or for that matter the open South China Sea — is a verbal threat of war to any country that defies the law; which, if unchallenged, is submission to it,” said Teodoro Locsin, Jnr.
Defence analyst Chester Cabalza, a fellow at the National Defence University in Beijing and the US State Department, said the law was a “game changer” because it turned a “white” force meant for policing, search and rescue into a menacing “grey” arm of the military.