MANILA, May 5 (Bloomberg): The Philippines said China’s unilateral fishing ban in the South China Sea doesn’t apply to areas within the Southeast Asian nation, in yet another sign of tension between the two countries.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea "opposes China’s imposition of the same over the areas within the territory and jurisdiction of the Philippines,” it said in a May 4 statement. "Our fisherfolk are encouraged to go out and fish in our waters.” Vietnam had been opposing China’s fishing ban in waters that include areas where it has claims.