During today’s regular press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang reiterated Vietnam’s stance on China’s fishing ban in the East Sea. The ban, she said, violates Vietnam’s sovereignty in the Hoang Sa archipelago and its rights and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone as outlined in the UNCLOS.
Ms. Hang emphasized that Vietnam has consistently opposed China’s fishing ban in the East Sea, calling it a violation of its sovereignty. She highlighted that Vietnam’s position is not only based on its own rights but also on international law.
The announcement 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 covers from May 1 to September 16 and affects fishermen from other countries in the region.
China’s unilateral imposition of an annual fishing ban on fishermen from other countries has been met with criticism from Vietnam and other countries affected by the ban. Ms. Hang stressed that such actions undermine peace, stability, and order in the East Sea region and have a negative impact on regional cooperation and development.
