The U.S. government has expressed concern over Chinese laws that allow the use of force in claiming waters.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a briefing on the 19th, “The United States is expressing concerns with other countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Japan on China’s maritime law, which could exacerbate territorial disputes.”
In particular, he pointed out the “expression of legal regulations suggesting the possibility of the use of force,” and said, “It strongly implies that this law could be used to threaten neighboring countries.”
Price then urged China to fulfill its UN Charter duty to refrain from the use of force or threats.
On the 22nd of last month, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China passed a law that allows the maritime police to use weapons in the event that foreign ships involved in illegal activities in the waters of claiming sovereignty fail to comply with orders.
The law went into effect this month.
VOA news
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