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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Rebecca Ratcliffe South-east Asia correspondent

Philippines increases South China Sea patrols as Beijing set to roll out new trespass laws

Chinese Coast Guard vessels fire water cannons towards a Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah on May 4 as it made its way to the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the  South China Sea
Chinese Coast Guard vessels fire water cannons towards a Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah on May 4 as it made its way to the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Photograph: Adrian Portugal/Reuters

The Philippines has stepped up patrols in the disputed South China Sea ahead of the rollout of a new Chinese regulation that empowers its coast guard to detain foreigners accused of trespassing.

The regulation, which is effective from Saturday, marks a further escalation in tensions in the fiercely contested waterway, which is one of the world’s most economically important and busiest trading routes

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