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Philippines Has No Right to Check Chinese Fishing Vessels: FM Spokesman
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said Monday the Philippines has no right to check Chinese fishing boats in the sea area near the Huangyan Island.
A Philippine navy crew boarded 10 Chinese fishing boats near the Huangyan Island last week to conduct an inspection, and confiscated some fishing tools and captures, blaming the fishermen's fishing activities to be "internationally prohibited".
Commenting on the matter, Zhu said the Huangyan Island has always been an integral part of the Chinese territory, and the sea area around the island has been a traditional fishing ground for Chinese fishermen.
Zhu said fishing activities of the Chinese fishermen in the area is "proper and normal" and the Philippine side has no right to board or to inspect Chinese fishing boats in the area, nor has it the right to take any measure against these fishermen. "China has made a move to negotiate with the Philippine side on this matter," Zhu said.
The spokesman stressed that the Chinese law prohibits in no uncertain terms fishing activities that are harmful to the marine environment and marine life protection, including the fishing of turtles and the collection of coral.
He said the Chinese government always attaches great importance to the protection of marine environment and fishery resources and abides by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. "The Chinese government will investigate into all illegal fishing activities and will impose due punishments in accordance with law," Zhu said.
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