“Twelve nautical miles.” That’s the distance defining the breadth of the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China. We are standing before a marker. It represents the concept of the \u4e2d\u534e\u4eba\u6c11\u5171\u548c\u56fd\u9886\u6d77\u57fa\u70b9\u7891 or the territorial sea baseline. This is a key aspect of China’s maritime sovereignty.
The \u4e2d\u534e\u4eba\u6c11\u5171\u548c\u56fd\u9886\u6d77\u57fa\u70b9\u7891 marks a significant point. It’s not just a line on a map. This marker symbolizes China’s stance on maritime rights and national security. It was defined in the “Law on the Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone” in February 1992. This law is crucial. It outlines how China exercises its sovereignty over its territorial sea. It also explains its control over the contiguous zone.
Imagine this baseline stretching along China’s mainland coast. It connects a series of adjacent base points. This creates a boundary. It is from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. Think of it as a watery fence. It defines the nation’s maritime territory.
The law states the breadth of China’s territorial sea is twelve nautical miles. This is measured from the baseline. The waters within this line are considered China’s internal waters. The law applies to all of China’s territory. This includes the mainland and coastal islands. It also covers Taiwan and surrounding islands. The law includes the Penghu Islands. The Dongsha, Xisha, Zhongsha, and Nansha Islands are included as well.
The government declared parts of the mainland territorial sea baselines in May 1996. This declaration uses straight baselines. These are formed by straight lines. They connect adjacent base points. These baselines define the starting point. It is from where the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea is measured.
What happens in these waters? Foreign non-military ships have the right of innocent passage. But military vessels need permission from the Chinese government to enter. Submarines must navigate on the surface. They also must display their flag. This is in accordance with Chinese law.
All foreign vessels must abide by Chinese laws when passing through. They cannot harm China’s peace, security, or good order. Nuclear-powered ships or those carrying dangerous substances need special certificates. They must take extra precautions. The Chinese government can take measures to prevent non-innocent passage.
Any foreign organization or individual needs permission. This is required to conduct scientific research. The permission is also needed for marine operations in China’s territorial sea. Violators will face consequences under Chinese law.
This \u4e2d\u534e\u4eba\u6c11\u5171\u548c\u56fd\u9886\u6d77\u57fa\u70b9\u7891 before us represents more than just a legal boundary. It shows China’s commitment to protecting its maritime interests. It underscores the importance of its territorial waters. It asserts its sovereign rights on the seas.