It is also hindering normal activities of Vietnamese vesselsand fishermen in Vietnam’s sovereignty waters, VINAFIS said in an official protestrecently sent to the Government’s Office, relevant ministries and agencies.
China has imposed a 3-month fishing ban in the East Sea,starting from May 1, covering part of the Gulf of Tonkin and Vietnam’s Hoang Sa(Paracel) Archipelago.
According to the VINAFIS, the unilateral repetitive ban isabsurd, infringing Vietnam’s sovereignty and violating the country’s legitimaterights and interests on its exclusive economic zone. It also violates internationallaw, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and runscounter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.
China’s fishing ban has no legal value on Vietnam’ssovereignty waters, it said, calling for the immediate removal of the ban.
The VINAFIS urged Vietnamese authorities to make strong protest and take drastic actions to counter the ban in order to protect Vietnam’s marineresources, ensure safety for fishermen and safeguard the national security and sea and island sovereignty./.