Fisheries Association protests China's unilateral ban on fishing in the South China Sea.

The Vietnam Fisheries Association protests China's unilateral ban on fishing in the South China Sea. (Illustrative photo: Dang Duc)

According to the official document, information on the website of the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture unilaterally announced adjustments to the regulations prohibiting fishing in certain sea areas under Vietnam's sovereignty, effective from 12:00 PM on May 1, 2018 to 12:00 PM on August 16, 2018.

The Vietnam Fisheries Association believes that China's unilateral action of issuing regulations prohibiting fishing in the South China Sea hinders the production activities of fishermen at sea and infringes upon Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago and the Gulf of Tonkin.

This action by China violates Vietnam's legal rights and interests, infringes upon international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other relevant international legal instruments, goes against the spirit and letter of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) signed between ASEAN and China in 2002, is inconsistent with the current development trend of bilateral relations, and is not conducive to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

The Vietnam Fisheries Association vehemently opposes the unilateral and legally invalid actions of the Chinese side. The decision by the Chinese side is null and void.

The Vietnam Fisheries Association requests that Vietnamese authorities take effective measures to promptly prevent and put an end to China's actions; there should be a regular presence of law enforcement vessels at sea to strengthen the protection of fishermen and create conditions for them to feel secure in their production activities in the waters under Vietnam's sovereignty.