Philippines, Vietnam condemn new Chinese fishing regulation

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Vietnam on Friday condemned a new Chinese law that requires foreign fishermen to seek Beijing’s approval to operate in much of the South China Sea, where overlapping territorial claims have escalated tensions.

China’s assertiveness in pressing its claims in the waters, which are believed to have significant seabed gas and oil deposits, has unnerved its smaller neighbours and created a potential military flashpoint. Anger is especially acute in Philippines and Vietnam, which believe they have strong claims on waters off their shores.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Friday that the new Chinese regulation “escalates tensions, unnecessarily complicates the situation in the South China Sea, and threatens the peace and stability of the region.”

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi said the law and other moves by China in recent months are “illegal and invalid” and seriously violate Vietnam’s sovereignty.

“Vietnam demands that

Vietnam demands that China abolish the above said erroneous acts, and practically contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region.

LUONG THANH NGHI

VIETNAMESE FOREIGN MINISTRY

China abolish the above said erroneous acts, and practically contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region,” he said.

The Philippines said it asked China for clarification. It said the regulation, which took effect this month, reinforces China’s expansive territorial claims and violates international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. It also said the rule was contrary to a 2002 declaration that China signed with the 10- member Association of the Southeast Asian Nations, including the Philippines and Vietnam, to refrain from changing the status quo.