China vows to beef up maritime security(2)

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei also told reporters on Thursday that China's vessels and aircraft will continue regular missions to safeguard its sovereignty.

Yet the Japanese Ministry of Defense and Japan's coast guard have been using tougher measures against the Chinese surveillance aircraft and vessels that patrol around the Diaoyu Islands.

China's Minister of Land and Resources Xu Shaoshi blamed Japan's moves for further escalating tensions.

Tokyo is trying to intimidate China and undermine Beijing's determination, and that "may lead to nothing but a standoff", said Ruan Zongze, vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies.

Japan has not reined in the looming crisis, Ruan said. In response, China released the standardized names as well as maritime base lines and reference points of the Diaoyu Islands and affiliated islets. In addition to patrols in the seas, China Marine Surveillance is upgrading infrastructure, such as surveillances ships and speedboats. A new office building is also ready for operation. Beijing should take initiatives in boosting maritime governance when challenged by neighboring countries, Li said.

However, "China's plan to build a maritime power does not necessarily mean that it is pursuing a course of maritime hegemony, and the plan does not mainly target territorial disputes, which fall under the scope of foreign policy," said Zhang Tuosheng, a researcher at the China Foundation for International and Strategic Studies.

China has seen its maritime interests and rights breached by some countries, which have also accused it of violating "freedom of navigation", Zhang Tuosheng said.

China is justified in protecting its lawful maritime rights and interests, Zhang said, and more room exists for international cooperation in the field of maritime ecology protection.

Li suggested that a national strategy for maritime jurisdiction be designed as soon as possible to clarify the rights, goals and tasks of China's administration.