Judicial support for coast guard

The Supreme People's Court issued two judicial interpretive documents on Monday on how the courts should handle maritime cases.

The judicial interpretations are of importance for China to defend its maritime rights and sovereignty. They have come at a time when the territorial disputes in the South China Sea have intensified after an award was made in an arbitration case unilaterally initiated by the Philippines.

There are articles covering illegal fishing by foreign vessels in various Chinese laws. The judicial interpretation marks a giant step forward because it puts all these together and makes the procedures clear.