The Global Times reported (January 23) that China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, which ended its 25th session on January 22, passed its coastguard legislation. Chinese experts said China will safeguard sovereignty regarding the dispute with Japan over the Diaoyu Islands. The law, according to the draft released in November by the NPC, empowers the Chinese coastguard to take action, including the use of weapons, when national sovereignty, sovereign rights or jurisdiction are being illegally infringed upon or threatened by foreign organizations or individuals at sea. Tian Shichen, Vice President of Grandview Institution, a think tank, previously told the Global Times that international law has no specific regulation on the use of force in dealing with disputes regarding waters. "But in practice, countries are very cautious about using force.” Lü Yaodong, a research fellow with the Institute of Japanese Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Friday that the new coastguard law shows China's clear attitude and determination to safeguard its sovereignty. According to him regular patrols near the Diaoyu Islands will be guaranteed by the legislation.
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