The US backed the Philippines in opposing China's unilateral seasonal ban on fishing in the disputed South China Sea. The US also asked China to abide by its obligations under international law.
The United States on Thursday extended support to the Philippines in opposing China's unilateral seasonal ban on fishing in the disputed South China Sea, reported AFP. The US State Department cited a 2016 ruling by a court in The Hague to criticise China's move.
Notably, the court had rejected Beijing's claims as well as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, ratified by China. "The PRC's unilateral fishing moratorium in the South China Sea is inconsistent with the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling and international law," State Department spokesman Ned Price wrote on Twitter.
The US also asked China to abide by its obligations under international law. Earlier this week, the Philippines had also filed a diplomatic protest with China over the unilateral ban. Manila also complained of harassment by China's coast guard.
The Philippines foreign ministry accused China of disrupting a joint marine scientific research mission and energy exploration activities in the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). On Thursday, Beijing rejected Manila's protest, reported the Philippines' digital portal, Philstar.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian defended the ban. He said that the ban is a standard measure to safeguard Beijing's resources. China's ban on fishing in the South China sea is in effect from May 1 to Aug. 16.
Last week, President-elect Ferdinand Marcos vowed to defend the sovereignty of his country and to stand up against China's encroachment policy, reported Reuters. The Philippines and China shared bitter relations in the past due to territorial disputes in the South China sea.
0 coment rios: