CHINA-NPC/CPPCC:SOUTH CHINA SEA

 Speaking at the ongoing NPC session in Beijing, Luo Baoming, the Party Secretary of Hainan province, said“China is encouraging its fishermen to venture into the South China Sea by offering subsidies and security training"  He said “Given the current situation in the South China Sea, fishermen have to protect their normal fishing operations in the region, because it is our ancestors’ fishing place.” Saying there are more than 100,000 fishermen in Hainan, he added they have documented proof of their navigation routes in the South China Sea dating back 600 years.  Luo Baoming also disclosed that the Hainan government had provided resources such as shipbuilding and fuel subsidies to those involved in pelagic fishing and training in self-defence. He said some Chinese fishing boats operated in high seas and displaced up to 400-tonnes of water – meaning they were bigger than some naval warships from Southeast Asian countries.  

Separately, CASS Professor Wang Hanlin said that "encouraging fishing vessels to take part in protecting maritime rights is very common among other Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and the Philippines, because it’s not banned by international law and the law of sea.” He said Chinese authorities had discovered some Vietnamese soldiers had posed as fishermen to collect intelligence near some Chinese controlled islets in the South China Sea. Beijing-based naval expert Li Jie said “In peacetime, fisherman can provide first-hand and the most up-to-date intelligence to the navy, while in wartime, they are the best at logistical tasks such as supplying food and water.”  
CCTV reported that China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters on the sidelines of a panel discussion at the NPC on March 7, 2016, that “The SCS situation is pretty stable. We certainly don’t want some countries coming here to show off their military prowess, as this would not help maintain stability in the area.” 
 






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