New law to boost military security in China-claimed waters - report

MANILA, Philippines — China's new law that seeks to increase military security in its territorial waters will take effect next month to respond to the reported "inadvertent intrusions" into restricted areas.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress has enacted the Law of People's Republic of China on the Protection of Military Installations, which is expected to be implemented on August 1.

The SCMP said the new law is a revision of a 1990 legislation of the same name which had failed to include in its statutes the protection of military restricted waters, airports and radio channels.

It also reported that according to the official newspaper of the Chinese military, there have been more "innocuous breaches" to secured zones, such as fishermen sailing into restricted waters.

The new law is also seen as a response to concerns about spying. A military report released during a legislative meeting last month revealed that many of China's military zones had been exposed to foreign intelligence, the SCMP said.

The SCMP also said that an article added to the Chinese law orders greater control on the civil facilities located nearby the coastal defense zone, including banning low-altitude flights over restricted areas.

China is claiming virtually the entire South China Sea with its nine-dash line. Aside from an arbitration case in an international tribunal, the Philippines has filed protests in the past against the Asian giant's aggressive military presence and construction efforts in the disputed waters. -Louis Bacani