China unilaterally bans fishing in the East Sea from noon today

China announced that its annual unilateral fishing ban in the East Sea will take effect from 12 noon today.

China imposes fishing ban but still allows its ships to go to Truong Sa. Photo: Xinhua

Xinhua said the fishing ban, issued by China's Ministry of Agriculture, will last for two and a half months, until 12:00 on August 1. The sea area where China imposed the fishing ban is from 12 degrees north latitude to the sea area between Fujian and Guangdong provinces, including the Gulf of Tonkin and Scarborough Shoal.

The ban will apply to both Chinese and foreign fishermen, including those from countries with sovereignty disputes with Beijing in the East Sea.

Nearly 9,000 fishing boats from Hainan province have docked for rest and maintenance during this time, according to China’s state news agency. However, “licensed” fishing boats in the Spratly Islands are still allowed to operate.

During the fishing ban, China announced that it would increase the use of law enforcement vessels to monitor, patrol, arrest and punish violators.

Since 1999, China has annually imposed a fishing ban in the East Sea, which it claims almost entirely, despite protests from Vietnam and other countries in the region.

China's fishing ban area. Graphics: Sina

According to VNE