Fishing vessels in the China Sea (Photo: MikeRussia CC BY-SA 3.0)
CHINA
Monday, January 13, 2014, 03:40 (GMT + 9)
Adding to China's announcement late last year of an air defence identification zone in the East China Sea, which drew sharp criticism from Washington, the fishing rules are turning Sino-U.S. ties even rougher.
Basically, the rules, approved by China's southern Hainan province and that took effect on 1 January require foreign fishing vessels to obtain approval to enter the waters, which the local government says are under its jurisdiction.
"China has not offered any explanation or basis under international law for these extensive maritime claims," US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Thursday.
A government-affiliated fishing organization in Vietnam criticized the new rules and the Philippines said China is escalating tensions in the region.
"All foreign activities at these areas without Vietnam's acceptance are illegal and groundless," Foreign Ministry spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi said regarding the new fishing rules.
Vo Van Trac, Vice Chairman of Vietnam Association of Fishery, pointed out that China’s action will impact on Vietnamese fishermen, affecting their livelihoods and families. He added that Vietnam would continue fishing in those areas, the Voice of America reported.
However, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the government "has the right and responsibility to regulate the relevant islands and reefs as well as non-biological resources" according to international and domestic law.
Furthermore, Wu Shicun, head of Hainan's foreign affairs office until last May, told Reuters that offending foreign fishing vessels would be expelled if they are in waters around Hainan and the disputed Paracel Islands.
Now, as president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, an agency that advises the government about policy on the South China Sea, he warns that vessels will be drag back to be handled, fishing gears will be confiscated, and people detained and fined. The most serious fine is CNY 500,000 (USD 91,800), Reuters informed.
Hainan, which juts into the South China Sea from China's southern tip, is responsible for administering the country's extensive claims to the myriad islets and atolls in the sea, about 2 million square km (770,000 square miles) of water, according to local government data issued in 2011.
The province is also home to Chinese naval facilities that include a purpose-built dock for the country's only aircraft carrier and a base for attack submarines.