China 'allows' Filipino fishermen into Scarborough Shoal.
Kyodo reported on November 20 that the Philippine Presidential Information Office issued a statement saying Chinese President Xi Jinping had pledged to President Rodrigo Duterte that Beijing would continue to allow Filipino fishermen access to the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
 |
| Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Source: THX/VNA) |
According to the statement, at a meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru, on November 19, the two leaders discussed the plight of Filipino fishermen.
The statement read: "The Chinese leader has pledged that (Philippine) fishermen will continue to have free access to their traditional fishing grounds."
 |
| Filipino fishermen. (Image for illustrative purposes only: thecoraltriangle.com) |
In early 2012, China seized control of Scarborough Shoal and deployed naval and coast guard vessels to prevent Filipino fishermen from operating in the abundant fishing grounds there.
However, following President Duterte's visit to China last month, Chinese coast guard vessels unexpectedly left the areas adjacent to the shoals, allowing fishermen to return.
According to Vietnam+
