Q: It is reported that Philippine
navy went aboard 10 Chinese fishing boats near the Huang Yan
Island last week and confiscated some fishing equipment and
catches. The Philippine side criticized that the Chinese
fishing boats had conducted fishing activities prohibited by
the international community. What is your comment on
this?
A: The Huang
Yan Island is an innate part of the Chinese territory. The
waters around the Huang Yan Island is a traditional fishing
area for Chinese fishermen. The fishing work of the Chinese
fishermen in the waters near the Huang Yan Island is proper
and normal. The Philippine side has no right whatsoever to
go aboard the Chinese boats in the waters around the Huang
Yan Island for inspection and take any measure. The Chinese
side has already made representations to the Philippine side
concerning this matter. The Chinese law prohibits fishermen
from catching fish through methods that are not conducive to
the protection of the sea environment and animals in the sea
and prohibits them from catching turtles and collecting
corals. The Chinese Government has always attached
importance to the protection of sea ecological environment
and fishery resources and strictly observed the Convention
on International Trade of Endangered Wild Flora and Fauna.
As to any possible illegal activities of fishing boats, the
Chinese Government will investigate and prosecute in
accordance with law.