China Issues No-Go Zone in Disputed Waters Claimed by US Ally
The Chinese government declared a "no-sail zone" in the disputed waters of the Yellow Sea, which lies between the East Asian power and South Korea, a treaty ally of the United States.
Newsweek has emailed both the Chinese and South Korean foreign ministries for comment.
The "no-sail zone" is located within the Yellow Sea's Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ), an area where the Chinese and the South Korean Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) overlap.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, each coastal state may establish an EEZ extending up to 200 nautical miles (230 miles) from its coastline, within which it holds sovereign rights for the exploration and exploitation of natural resources.
China has installed three structures-including a steel rig-on the western side of the PMZ. Seoul is concerned that they may be part of China's efforts to expand its territorial presence, while Beijing has downplayed South Korea's worries, saying they are aquaculture facilities.
A regional branch of the China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) in Lianyungang-a city in Jiangsu Province-prohibited ships from entering a designated area in the southern Yellow Sea from 8 a.m. on Thursday to 8 a.m. on May 27, local time, without providing a reason.
Based on coordinates provided by the Lianyungang MSA, the "no-sail zone" is located on the mid-eastern side of the PMZ, within South Korea's EEZ. It lies well outside South Korea's territorial waters that extend up to 12 nautical miles (13.8 miles) from its coastline.
While it remains unclear whether the zone was established for military activities, China has maintained a naval presence in the Yellow Sea, which South Korean media claimed is part of Beijing's attempt to "militarize" the waters by deploying warships near South Korea.
Meanwhile, two zones designated for military exercises were established in the PMZ waters north of the previously declared "no-sail zone," which are active from Thursday through May 27. One of these zones overlaps with South Korea's EEZ, a Newsweek map shows.
Last month, Chinese and South Korean officials discussed maritime affairs, during which they held a "comprehensive and in-depth exchange of views," according to Beijing. The South Korean side warned China not to violate its "legitimate and lawful maritime rights."
The meeting in Seoul followed an incident in late February, when a South Korean vessel-operated by a private oceanographic research organization-encountered the China Coast Guard while approaching a Chinese installation in the PMZ, leading to a standoff at sea.
Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, previously said, in comments provided by the ministry: "I would like to point out that what China set up in the provisional measures zone (PMZ) are the aquaculture facilities. And relevant activities of China are consistent with China's domestic law and international law."
Lee Jae-woong, spokesperson for the South Korean Foreign Ministry, previously said: "We will determine specific actions through a comprehensive review of factors such as the Chinese side's future behavior and the economic feasibility of our options."
China's foreign ministry said following a meeting between Chinese and South Korean officials in April: "The two sides also agreed to enhance mutual trust and strive to make the Yellow Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation, while jointly promoting the continuous development of the China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership."
ROK stands for Republic of Korea, the official name of South Korea.
It remains to be seen how China and South Korea will resolve their disputes over the man-made structures in the PMZ, as military tensions persist on the nearby Korean Peninsula.
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