The Philippines has issued an order that directly defies the recently imposed annual summer fishing ban by Chinese authorities in the disputed South China Sea.
Philippines officials encouraged local fishermen to take advantage of the temporary Chinese ban and to keep fishing in the contested waters.
China has been imposing the annual fishing ban since 1999. Under the ban, more than 50,000 Chinese fishing boats will be forced to suspend operations. The ban runs from May 1 until Aug. 16 and covers most of the South China Sea, including areas it has laid claim to despite international opposition.
An international tribunal invalidated China's maritime claims in 2016. China has rejected the ruling and maintains its "nine-dash line" claim over 90% of the South China Sea - including waters claimed by other Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei.
"This fishing ban does not apply to our fishermen. Our fisherfolk are encouraged to go out and fish in our waters in the WPS (West Philippine Sea)," the Philippine South China Sea task force said Wednesday.
The task force said that all areas within the territory and jurisdiction of the Philippines are open to all local fishermen. Tensions between the Philippines and China had escalated over the past few months following an incursion of Chinese vessels within the former's exclusive economic zone.
In late March, a fleet of fishing vessels - allegedly manned by Chinese military personnel - was anchored at a disputed reef claimed by both nations. Chinese officials said the boats were there to escape bad weather. The Philippines formally filed a diplomatic protest against China over the "illegal" presence of the vessels.
On April 27, the Philippines' South China Sea task force said it spotted seven Chinese military vessels at the Sabina shoal in the Spratly archipelago. The ships reportedly dispersed after they were approached by the Philippines coast guard. Two days later, the ships returned but then left after coast guard ships arrived.
"The Philippines is not deterred from defending our national interest, patrimony, and our dignity as a people with all that we have," the task force said.
