Philippine legislator proposes law to keep Chinese boats, planes in check

A lawmaker in the Philippines has reintroduced legislation to prevent maritime and airspace encroachment by Chinese vessels, by restricting them to designated sea lanes and air routes and prescribing jail time for captains or vessel owners.
The Philippines has complained repeatedly about Chinese activities in its 200 mile (322 km) exclusive economic zone (EEZ), including the sustained presence of hundreds of fishing boats it believes contain militia. It has argued those are not engaged in “innocent passage”, as is permitted under international law.
The Philippines has long accused Chinese vessels of harassing and disrupting fishing activities, as part of Beijing’s efforts to assert its claim to sovereignty over almost entire South China Sea.
The bill from Congressman Rufus Rodriguez designates special sea lanes and air routes and prescribes rules that foreign ships and aircraft conducting innocent passage must follow.