MANILA. The Philippines has formally protested China’s unilateral imposition of a four-month fishing ban in the South China Sea, according to the country’s foreign ministry on Monday. This move has heightened tensions in the contested waters, prompting Manila to demand Beijing “cease and desist” from what it deems “illegal actions” infringing on Philippine sovereignty.
The annual fishing ban, imposed by China, typically sparks opposition from the Philippines. This year’s ban, which is set to last until September, has again been met with resistance. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in the Philippines lodged a diplomatic note, asserting that the fishing moratorium encroaches on waters within its maritime zones.
“The Philippines stressed that the unilateral imposition of the fishing moratorium raises tensions in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea,” the DFA stated.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro recently criticized China’s Coast Guard operations in the South China Sea, labeling them a “provocation.” Despite these objections, China’s embassy in Manila has not yet issued a response.
China’s extensive territorial claims in the South China Sea, a crucial route for over $3 trillion in annual trade, overlap with claims from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. In 2016, an international arbitral tribunal ruled that China’s claims had no legal basis, a decision Beijing continues to reject.
The ongoing disputes and annual fishing bans underscore the complex geopolitical tensions in the region, with significant implications for international trade and maritime sovereignty.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
