Photo from BFAR

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines issued a strong protest on Monday against China's imposition of a four-month fishing ban in the South China Sea, which encompasses parts of the West Philippine Sea.

The DFA emphasized that the Philippines does not recognize China's fishing moratorium, asserting its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over the maritime zones in question.

The unilateral imposition of the ban has heightened tensions in the disputed waters and is seen as a direct violation of the understanding between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping to resolve differences through diplomacy and dialogue.

The Philippines called on China to cease illegal actions that infringe upon its sovereignty and comply with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

China's fishing ban is seen as a breach of Article 56 of UNCLOS concerning the Philippines' sovereign rights over the living resources of its exclusive economic zones.

This development follows China's recent announcement of plans to detain "trespassers" in areas it claims in the South China Sea, further escalating tensions in the region.