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China to set up own international maritime centre China to set up maritime "judicial centre"
(about 2 hours later)
China has said it is setting set up its own international maritime "judicial centre" to handle territorial disputes. China's Supreme Court is setting up its own international maritime "judicial centre" to handle territorial disputes.
The top court gave few details in its announcement, but said the centre would help China become a "maritime power".The top court gave few details in its announcement, but said the centre would help China become a "maritime power".
Beijing is locked in disputes with its neighbours over claims in the resource-rich South China Sea, with tensions raised in recent months over China's aggressive land reclamation.Beijing is locked in disputes with its neighbours over claims in the resource-rich South China Sea, with tensions raised in recent months over China's aggressive land reclamation.
It has also squared off with Japan over the Diaoyu or Senkaku islands.It has also squared off with Japan over the Diaoyu or Senkaku islands.
What is the South China Sea dispute?What is the South China Sea dispute?
The China-Japan islands rowThe China-Japan islands row
Flying close to China's new islandsFlying close to China's new islands
Why are Chinese fishermen destroying reefs?Why are Chinese fishermen destroying reefs?
'Safeguard interests''Safeguard interests'
International maritime disputes are usually brought before the UN's International Court of Justice, including an arbitration case brought on by the Philippines against China over their competing claims in the South China Sea. Beijing has refused to participate.
The announcement of the new centre came from Chief Justice Zhou Qiang on Sunday during the ongoing annual meeting of China's parliament.The announcement of the new centre came from Chief Justice Zhou Qiang on Sunday during the ongoing annual meeting of China's parliament.
"(We) must resolutely safeguard China's national sovereignty, maritime rights and other core interests," he said, without giving further details on the centre and how it would work."(We) must resolutely safeguard China's national sovereignty, maritime rights and other core interests," he said, without giving further details on the centre and how it would work.
China already has 10 domestic maritime courts - the most number in the world, according to state broadcaster CRI - which handled about 16,000 cases last year. China claims a large swathe of the South and East China Sea, creating multiple overlaps with areas claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Japan.
Tensions have ratcheted as China continues to build artificial islands, airport runways and facilities on disputed reefs, prompting calls from the US for a halt in such activities. The Philippines currently has a case lodged against China at the UN's Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
Opponents have accused Beijing of militarisation but China says such construction is within its rights and the construction is for civilian purposes. It says the "nine-dash line", which China uses to demarcate its claims, is unlawful under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which both countries have signed.
Beijing has refused to participate in the tribunal, saying the court has no power to rule on the matter.
Tensions have increased as China continues to build artificial islands, airport runways and facilities on disputed reefs, prompting calls from the US for a halt in such activities.
Opponents have accused Beijing of militarisation but China says such construction is within its rights and any building is for civilian purposes.