China dismissed the Philippines' protest over its unilateral imposition of a fishing ban in South China Sea which covers parts of the West Philippine Sea, saying it is a "normal measure."
China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Thursday, June 2, said that China cannot accept the Philippines' claims that the three-and-a-half month fishing ban in the South China Sea breached the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
China said the Philippines' accusation is "unwarranted."
"The summer fishing moratorium in the South China Sea adopted by China is a normal measure of protecting marine biological resources in waters under China’s jurisdiction, and a manifestation of fulfilling obligations under international law including UNCLOS by the Chinese side," Zhao explained.
"China cannot accept the unwarranted accusation of the Philippine Foreign Ministry," Zhao added.
The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has filed a diplomatic protest over the fishing ban that covers areas in the West Philippine Sea “which the Philippines has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction."
In its diplomatic note, the DFA also protested China’s annual practice of declaring a fishing ban over areas that extend far beyond China’s legitimate maritime entitlements under the 1982 UNCLOS.
The Philippines pointed out that the declaration of a moratorium on fishing that extends to the West Philippine Sea "has no basis in law, and undermines the mutual trust, confidence, and respect" between the two nations.
Zhao, however, said that their side hopes that the Philippines can view the fishing ban objectively and "with correct perspective."
"We hope the Philippine side can view it in an objective and correct perspective, and earnestly fulfill the obligations as a littoral state of the South China Sea to jointly promote sustainable development of fishery in the South China Sea," Zhao said.
At present, the DFA is also reviewing reported activities of Chinese vessels in the Philippine waters for the filing of appropriate diplomatic action.
READ MORE: PH protests China's unilateral fishing ban in South China Sea