U.S. says China's fishing curbs 'provocative and potentially dangerous'

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said on Thursday that new Chinese fishing restrictions in disputed waters in the South China Sea were "provocative and potentially dangerous", as disquiet grew in Southeast Asia over the rules.

The legislature of China's Hainan province approved rules in November that took effect on January 1 requiring foreign fishing vessels to obtain approval to enter waters under its jurisdiction.