The Supreme People’s Court (SPC) issued a regulation of judicial interpretation to clarify China’s jurisdiction over its territorial seas, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The court regulation followed assertions by the Chinese military to protect the country’s maritime rights and interests in the backdrop of increasing tensions over the SCS after the PCA tribunal struck down Beijing’s clams. RELATED NEWS Chinese military vows to protect its maritime rights The judicial explanation, based on Chinese law, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and judicial practices, further clarifies China’s maritime jurisdiction. In a bid to nullify the international tribunal’s verdict that struck down its claims over the disputed South China Sea, China’s Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a regulation reaffirming the country’s jurisdiction over its territorial seas warning foreigners of criminal liability for violations of its sovereignty.

Source: The Hindu August 02, 2016 06:02 UTC