China assures PH: No need to worry over new SCS detention policy

China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning attends a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing on January 15, 2024. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines need not fret about China’s new regulations in the South China Sea as long as no “illicit” acts will be committed, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said.

In a regular press conference on Wednesday, Mao insisted that the regulations rolled out by China Coast Guard, which is set to take effect on June 15, aim to “standardize the administrative law-enforcement procedures and better uphold order at sea.”

The new regulation in question is CCG’s duty to detain, without trial, foreigners deemed “illegally crossing” what China considers as its borders.

READ: China empowers self to detain South China Sea ‘trespassers’

“It is consistent with universal practices. Individuals and entities have no need for concern as long as they have not done anything illicit,” said Mao, responding to a media query about Philippine concerns on their new policy.

“Let me stress that it is the Philippines, not China, that has escalated the situation and made repeated provocations in the South China Sea. China’s door of dialogue and communication with the Philippines remains open, but it’s important to note that dialogue requires sincerity and whatever is agreed in dialogue must be acted upon, rather than talking about the need for dialogue while continuing to make provocations,” she added.

Mao’s remarks came after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. accused Beijing of escalating tensions in the South China Sea, branding its new policy as “very worrisome.”

The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, earlier axed the new rule, calling it “unacceptable” as it “has no legal basis.”