If nautical conflicts be something you wish
Xi Jinping wants the Coast Guard to get serious about guarding the coast.
On Wednesday, Xi visited the Coast Guard's command office for the East China Sea in Shanghai.
His message: Maritime law enforcement is crucial to protecting China’s rights and interests.
Some context: Founded in July 2013, China’s Coast Guard is a relatively new organization.
- Since its inception, it’s played a major role in pressing China’s claims to disputed seas and islands.
- In 2021, China’s legislature passed the Coast Guard Law, empowering the Coast Guard to be more assertive and broadly authorizing the use of force.
More context: China’s Coast Guard has also been at the center of recent clashes between Beijing and Manila over the disputed Second Thomas Shoal.
Xi called for the “resolute protection of China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”
Get smart: By further emboldening the Coast Guard, Xi is sacrificing China’s Neighborhood Diplomacy at the alter of territorial integrity.
- That raises the risk of regional conflict and economic disruption.
Get smarter: An aggressive Coast Guard also makes consensus on a South China Sea Code of Conduct increasingly unlikely.
- It will also push rival claimants to strengthen ties with the US.