Fisheries Association opposes China's unilateral fishing ban in the East Sea

Vietnam Fisheries Association protests China's unilateral fishing ban in the East Sea. Illustration photo: Dang Duc.

According to the document, information on the website of the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture unilaterally announced the adjustment of the regulations prohibiting fishing at sea, including some sea areas under Vietnam's sovereignty, effective from 12:00 on May 1, 2018 to 12:00 on August 16, 2018.

The Vietnam Fisheries Association believes that China's unilateral issuance of regulations banning fishing in the East Sea hinders fishermen's production at sea and violates Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago and the Gulf of Tonkin.

This action by China has violated Vietnam's legal rights and interests, violated international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and relevant international legal documents, gone against the spirit and text of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) signed between ASEAN and China in 2002, is not consistent with the development trend of the two countries' relations in the current context, and is not beneficial to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

The Vietnam Fisheries Association strongly protests China's unilateral and legally invalid action. The above decision by China is invalid.

The Vietnam Fisheries Association recommends that Vietnamese authorities take effective measures to promptly prevent and end China's above actions; there should be regular law enforcement vessels at sea to strengthen the protection of fishermen, creating conditions for fishermen to feel secure in producing in waters under Vietnam's sovereignty.