During a recent press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang condemned China’s annual fishing ban in the East Sea as a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty in the Hoang Sa archipelago. Ms. Hang emphasized that Vietnam has consistently opposed China’s fishing ban, which also violates Vietnam’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone as outlined in the UNCLOS.
The spokesperson’s statement came after reports emerged that Chinese officials had issued an “annual fishing ban” covering areas from the 12th parallel to the north of Taiwan island, including the Hoang Sa archipelago, which is illegally occupied by China. The ban runs from May 1 to September 16 and affects fishermen from other countries.
Ms. Hang called on China to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago and its rights and jurisdiction over its waters. She urged China to work with other countries in the region to avoid complicating the situation and contribute to peace, stability, and order in the East Sea region.
China’s unilateral imposition of an annual fishing ban on fishermen from other countries is a recurring issue that has been met with criticism from Vietnam and other affected countries. This practice not only undermines regional cooperation but also threatens food security for millions of people who rely on fishing for their livelihoods.