China ends fishing ban in South China Sea, raising fear of potential conflicts among fishermen

China’s summer fishing ban in the South China Sea ended on August 16, 2020, after being enforced for more than three months. A fleet of fishing boats was seen setting sail from China’s southeastern province of Fujian. The annual ban, which Beijing says was put in place to help sustain fishing resources, has drawn protests from neighbouring countries because of its implications regarding sovereignty, jurisdiction and fishing rights.