China authorises coast guard to fire on foreign vessels if needed

China has passed a law that for the first time explicitly allows its coast guard to fire on foreign vessels, a move that could make the contested waters around China even more choppy.

China has maritime sovereignty disputes with Japan in the East China Sea and with several South-east Asian countries in the South China Sea.

It has sent its coast guard to chase away fishing vessels from other countries, sometimes resulting in the sinking of these vessels.

China’s top legislative body, the National People’s Congress standing committee,…