DFA studying new Chinese law

DFA spokesman and Assistant Foreign Secretary Charles Jose: Studying implications. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is looking into reports that a new Chinese law would step up military security in its territorial waters.

DFA spokesman and Assistant Foreign Secretary Charles Jose on Monday said the DFA was studying the implications of the new Chinese law to the Philippines.

The South China Morning Post reported last week the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress had enacted a Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Military Installations, set to be implemented on Aug. 1.

The new law “would step up protection of China’s military facilities and its territorial waters following reports of inadvertent intrusions into restricted zones and concerns about spying.”

Both the Philippines and China have overlapping claims in the South China Sea.

China claims the entire South China Sea with its 10-dash rendition of its maps.

The Philippines has brought China’s claim for resolution to the UN arbitration tribunal and has filed many protests against Beijing’s aggressive expansion moves in the disputed waters.–Christine O. Avendaño