MANILA -- A tough Chinese maritime provision takes effect on Saturday, directing the China Coast Guard to detain foreign nationals who cross marine demarcations set by Beijing, drawing concerns from Philippine officials and experts that territorial disputes in the South China Sea could flare up anew.
The provision issued last month allows for detaining "trespassing" foreigners for up to 60 days without trial. As this could allow the coast guard to lock up Filipinos who fish in the South China Sea, Manila immediately denounced its unilateral implementation.
