Abstract
While the China Coast Guard (CCG) claims to act in accordance with its Coast Guard Law to safeguard its rights, its actions ultimately clash with international law. Rather than viewing this as an issue, the CCG frequently references international norms, accusing the Philippines of violating the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, or even of seriously breaching the fundamental principles of international law and international relations. This serves to obscure the illegal nature of China’s Coast Guard operations.
Examining the specific threats posed by the CCG reveals two main aspects: physical threats and threats to order. Across incidents, the CCG has employed five main tactics: shadowing and surveillance, issuing stern warnings, warning to drive away, enforcement (or control) measures, and boarding reefs or vessels. Additionally, there is misuse of “non-lethal” weapons and jurisdictional claims, all suggesting that Beijing is applying a gradual and exclusive strategy of “harassment, weakening, and control” across disputed waters in the South China Sea, East China Sea, and even the Taiwan Strait.