Vietnam has recently expressed its strong opposition to China’s unilateral fishing ban in the South China Sea, arguing that the move violates international maritime laws and infringes on Vietnam’s sovereign rights. This article will explore the controversy surrounding China’s fishing ban and its implications for the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea. It will also examine the position of Vietnam, the key protagonist in the region, and its efforts to safeguard its maritime interests amidst growing assertiveness from China.
Vietnam has slammed China for imposing an annual fishing ban on a large part of the South China Sea, saying it violates its sovereignty, the country’s foreign ministry has alleged. The ban, which is intended to promote sustainable marine ecology, runs from 1 May to 16 August, and has been imposed each year since 1999. It covers waters 12 degrees north of the equator, and includes both parts of Vietnam’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone and the Paracel islands, which have long been contested by the two nations. Vietnam accused China of seeking to “complicate matters” and urged them to respect its sovereignty over the contested region.
China continues to deploy hundreds of vessels to bolster its claims over more than 90% of the potentially energy-rich South China Sea. China has been accused by some of its neighbours of behaviour intended to disrupt energy exploration activities. In April, Vietnam sent a ship to monitor a Chinese coastguard vessel patrolling close to a Russian-operated gas field in Vietnamese waters. Dozens of these patrols have since been observed. The country, which has emerged as a regional energy player in recent years, relies upon a mix of domestic production and hydrocarbon imports from Russia, Qatar and elsewhere, to fuel its growing economy.
Vietnam is not alone in criticising China’s maritime expansion policies. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson recently warned that China’s territorial claims posed a threat to global stability. The country has since begun what it calls “routine patrols” in the disputed waters, and deployed military aircraft and radar equipment to contested areas. The Philippines, which previously had a more passive response towards the disputes, has now taken legal action at the Hague against China’s claims. Brunei has contested China’s claims, as has Malaysia, with which China is engaged in a somewhat protracted dialogue aimed at establishing a “code of conduct” for the region.
