Philippine legislator proposes law to keep Chinese boats, planes in check in EEZ
- The bill from Congressman Rufus Rodriguez designates special sea lanes and air routes and prescribes rules that foreign ships and aircraft must follow
- The Philippines has long accused Chinese vessels of disrupting fishing activities, as part of Beijing’s efforts to claim sovereignty over South China Sea
A lawmaker in the Philippines has reintroduced legislation to prevent maritime and airspace encroachment by Chinese vessels, by restricting them to designated sea lanes and air routes and prescribing jail time for captains or vessel owners.
The Philippines has complained repeatedly about Chinese activities in its 200 mile (322km) exclusive economic zone (EEZ), including the sustained presence of hundreds of fishing boats it believes contain militia. It has argued those are not engaged in “innocent passage”, as is permitted under international law.
The Philippines has long accused Chinese vessels of harassing and disrupting fishing activities, as part of Beijing’s efforts to assert its claim to sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea.
The bill from Congressman Rufus Rodriguez designates special sea lanes and air routes and prescribes rules that foreign ships and aircraft conducting innocent passage must follow.
“No Chinese or any vessel should be allowed in our waters without our approval unless for innocent passage in the designated archipelagic sea lanes,” he said on Wednesday.
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Fishermen in South China Sea are at the centre of territorial crossfires
President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr is pursuing strong ties with China but has been clear in promising to defend sovereign territory and stand up to any Chinese encroachment in the South China Sea.
