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South China Sea: why stormy reactions to China’s new coastguard law are overblown Illustration: Craig Stephens
China s new coastguard law entered into force on February 1. Some media reports have raised concerns. Will the Chinese coastguard become a second navy ? Under what conditions would the coastguard be used in maritime law enforcement? Are the provisions of the law on the use of police equipment and firearms consistent with international law? And, will the new law heighten tensions in the region?
Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jnr even said that the new law is a verbal threat of war to any country that defies the law .