A recent announcement by the provincial government in Hainan, China, which has responsibility for the South China Sea territories claimed by China, has probably reinforced that impulse. According to the Hainan authorities, from January 1, 2013, China’s police will be authorized to board and detain ships that are suspected of “illegal activities” in what China claims are its territorial waters.
中国负责管理所谓南海主权的海南省政府最近发表一项声明，可能进一步强化了上述冲动。按照海南省政府的说法，从2013年1月1日起，中国警方将有权登船并扣留在所谓中国领海涉嫌“非法活动”的船舶。