China clamps new rules to regulate foreign ships in its waters

In a bid to regulate foreign ships, China made new maritime rules warranting vessels carrying radioactive materials, bulk oil, chemicals and a host of other supplies to report the details of the cargo upon their entry into Chinese waters.

Context

In a bid to regulate foreign ships, China made new maritime rules warranting vessels carrying radioactive materials, bulk oil, chemicals and a host of other supplies to report the details of the cargo upon their entry into Chinese waters.

Who will be required to report?

The following will be required to report their detailed information upon their visits to Chinese territorial waters.

• Operators of submersibles, nuclear vessels, ships carrying radioactive materials and ships carrying bulk oil, chemicals, liquefied gas and other toxic and harmful substances.
• In addition to these types of vessels, vessels that may endanger the maritime traffic safety of China.

Impact of new rules on India

• Indian commercial vessels as well as ships of the Indian Navy regularly traverse the waters of the South China Sea, through which pass key international sea lanes.
• India undertakes various activities, including cooperation in the oil and gas sector, with the Littoral States of South China Sea.

 Overall impact

• The new rules are expected to increase tensions if China strictly enforces them in the disputed South China Sea and the Taiwan straits where the US and its allies have been conducting naval expeditions, challenging Beijing’s claims to assert the freedom of navigation.

China’s claim over South China Sea

• Beijing claims almost all of the 1.3 million square-mile South China Sea as its sovereign territory. 
• China has been building military bases on artificial islands in the region also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
• China has been building military bases on artificial islands in the region also claimed by- 
• Brunei
• Malaysia
• the Philippines
• Taiwan
• Vietnam