As territorial disputes mount, China brings maritime forces under unified command

China is bringing its maritime law enforcement bodies under a single command, a top official said with the country embroiled in rows with Japan, the Philippines, and other Southeast Asian countries over disputed islands in the South and East China Seas.

The State Oceanic Administration, which runs marine surveillance, will take over control of the coastguard from the public security ministry, fisheries patrols from the agriculture ministry, and customs' marine anti-smuggling functions.

The move was intended to "safeguard the country's maritime rights and interests", Ma Kai, secretary general of the State Council, China's cabinet, told the National People's Congress parliament meeting in Beijing, according to a copy of his speech.

"The effectiveness of law enforcement is not high and the ability to defend rights is inadequate," the speech said.

The move comes as Beijing and Tokyo row over small islands in the East China Sea administered by Japan but claimed by China. Beijing is also at odds with several Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, over islands in the South China Sea.

Chinese marine surveillance vessels regularly patrol what Beijing says are its waters around the Diaoyu islands, prompting accusations of territorial incursions by Tokyo, which refers to the outcrops as the Senkakus.

Both sides have scrambled jets to ward off moves by the other and in February Japan alleged a Chinese frigate had locked its weapons-targeting radar on one of its destroyers. Beijing denied the accusation.-Interaksyon (March 10, 2013)