China has bared plans to set up new civilian patrols in the disputed South China Sea, a portion of which Manila refers to as the West Philippine Sea. A 5,000-ton Chinese ship will be stationed at the Paracel Islands and will soon begin regular patrols. Beijing said the patrols will safeguard China's sovereign rights and ensure rapid emergency response. The move comes after the US and the Philippines criticized a Chinese law earlier this month requiring foreign fishing vessels to obtain permission to enter disputed waters. Aside from the Philippines and China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia also have territorial claims in the South China Sea. ANC NEWS NOW, January 22, 2014