“[The US are] concerned by language in the law [China's law that explicitly allows its coast guard to fire on foreign vessels] that expressly ties the potential use of force, including armed force, by the China coast guard to the enforcement of China's claims, and ongoing territorial and maritime disputes in the East and South China Seas. The language strongly implies this law could be used to intimidate [China's] maritime neighbours. We are further concerned that China may invoke this new law to assert its unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea, which were thoroughly repudiated by the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling. We remind the PRC and all whose forces operate in the South China Sea that responsible maritime forces act with professionalism and restraint in the exercise of their authorities.”
19 Feb 2021
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