Reported about 1 year ago
China's new Coast Guard regulations grant the authority to detain foreign ships illegally entering Chinese territorial waters, with approval from the responsible person in charge of the Coast Guard institution at the city level. Additionally, foreigners suspected of illegal entry or exit may be detained for review for up to 30 days, extendable to 60 days in complex cases. The disputed South China Sea is a crucial trade route with around $3 trillion worth of goods passing through yearly. Tensions have escalated between China and neighboring countries such as the Philippines over sovereignty claims in the region. The new regulations have raised concerns, with the Philippines' President expressing worry and the Philippine armed forces planning measures to protect their fishermen in the Exclusive Economic Zone.
Source: YAHOO