Beijing has ignored Manila’s protest against its unilateral fishing ban in the South China Sea, including areas that are within the exclusivr economic zone of the Philippines.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian insisted imposing the ban was within its sovereign right.
“The summer fishing moratorium in the South China Sea adopted by China is a normal measure of protecting marine biological resources in waters under China’s jurisdiction, and a manifestation of fulfilling obligations under international law including UNCLOS by the Chinese side,” he said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila earlier said it does not recognize China’s fishing moratorium that will run until August 16 as it covers waters in areas where the Philippines exercises “sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.”
But Zhao said China “cannot accept the unwarranted accusation” of the Philippines contained in its diplomatic protest on May 30.
“We hope the Philippine side can view it in an objective and correct perspective, and earnestly fulfill the obligations as a littoral state of the South China Sea to jointly promote sustainable development of fishery in the South China Sea,” Zhao said.