Philippines complains Chinese fishing ban

Web Desk

31st May, 2022. 04:41 pm
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The Philippines stated on Tuesday that it has lodged a diplomatic complaint with China over Beijing’s unilateral declaration of a South China Sea fishing ban, as well as harassment and breaches of its authority by Beijing’s coast guard.

The Chinese warships were accused of disturbing a cooperative maritime scientific research mission as well as energy development efforts at two sites in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, according to a statement from the foreign ministry (EEZ).

It also condemned China’s yearly fishing restrictions aimed at replenishing fish populations, which cover waters within Vietnam’s and the Philippines’ exclusive economic zones.

A request for comment from China’s embassy in Manila on the Philippine assertions, which alluded to events in March and April, was not immediately returned.

The coast guard’s actions, according to the foreign ministry, were “not consistent with innocent passage and are clear violations of Philippine maritime jurisdiction.”

It did not explain why it took more than a month to respond to the incidents.

The demonstration highlights the difficulty that President-elect Ferdinand Marcos will have in pursuing closer economic connections with China while not appearing to cave in the face of what the military perceives as Beijing’s illegitimate provocations at sea.

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