PH to raise China fishing law before ASEAN

MANILA - The Philippines will bring up China's new fisheries law at the ongoing ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Myanmar. The regulations, issued by the Hainan Provincial People's Congress, requires foreign fishing vessels to obtain approval from Chinese authorities before they are allowed to fish or conduct surveying activities in the West Philippine Sea. The Department of Foreign Affairs said China responded to the country's call for clarification with Beijing insisting that it is not a new measure but an implementation of their fishing regulations covering Hainan. DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario said the regulations have serious implications on freedom of navigation as well as peace and stability. "The secretary will express their views regarding the new fisheries law that was announced by the Hainan provincial congress. He will say that this development escalates tension, unnecessary complicates the situation at the South China Sea and it also threatens the peace and stability of the region," DFA Spokesman Raul Hernandez said. "It is very important for other nations also to join the Philippines in promoting in rule of law and respect for the rights of coastal states and the international law and ensuring global economic progress through freedom of navigation and unheeded maritime commerce." ANC, January 17, 2014