VINAFISH raises strong objection to illegal Chinese actions

Vietnamese fishermen conduct fishsing activities in Hoang Sa fishing ground. Photo: Thanh Nien (Youth) newspaper

In the document, the VINAFHIS outlines that the Chinese side have announced regulations via news websites that it will prohibit fishing in the East Sea. Indeed, the scope of the planned fishing ban extends from the northern area of the East Sea up to 12 degrees north latitude and includes part of the Tonkin Gulf along with the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, also known as the Paracel islands, which are part of Vietnamese sovereignty territory.

The ban is scheduled to come into force from May 1 to August 16.

The VINAFIS believe that the unilateral fishing ban imposed by the northern neighbour will hamper the fishing activities of Vietnamese fishermen and outright violates Vietnamese sovereignty over both the Hoang Sa archipelago and territorial waters in the Tonkin Gulf whilst also disrupting the nation’s legitimate rights and interests. The policy also infringes on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other related international legal documents.

Most recently, China has been brazen in announcing its plans to establish two so-called administrative agencies known as “Xisha” and “Nansha” in“Sansha city” in an attempt to legitimise their illegal control of both the Paracel and Spratly islands, both of which are part of Vietnamese sovereign territory.

Moreover, the latest policy in the East Sea being enforced by the Chinese side runs against the spirit and wording of the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea which was signed between ASEAN and China in 2002, the VINAFIS said.

Furthermore, the document states that the VINAFIS is “vehemently against Chinese actions that attempt to enforce regulations which have no legal value in Vietnamese territorial waters as local fishermen have the complete right to undertake fishing in waters that fall under the country’s sovereignty.”

As a result of this opposition, the VINAFIS has requested that Vietnamese authorities move to take drastic measures to both oppose and attempt to halt China’s actions, whilst also increasing patrols in the sea in an attempt to protect local fishermen and facilitate their fishing activities in the country’s territorial waters.

As part of its functions and duties, the group will actively direct other local fisheries associations to co-ordinate efforts with relevant units to help fishermen fully grasp and abide by legal regulations when conducting fishing activities in the East Sea. Advice includes calling on fishermen to remain calm, bravely stay at sea, boost production, and resolutely exercise their legitimate rights to contribute to firmly protecting national sovereignty over sea and islands, the document emphasises.