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Image source, fake images
Fishing boat in a coastal town in the East Sea in November 2019
Thousands of Chinese vessels force and intimidate legal fishermen into supporting the long-term maritime strategic goals of the Chinese Communist Party, ‘according to the report. South China morning post.
The US Coast Guard has harsh words to China, in a new report on illegal fishing, calling on like-minded nations to unite against such “predators.” sea ” in a clear warning to Beijing.
The report, released Thursday, also criticized China’s armed fishing militia, which some studies say Beijing uses to enforce its claims in the South China Sea. many disputes, by flooding the waters around these islands, with the aim of driving away fishermen and soldiers from other claimant states.
“The Maritime Militia of the Popular Armed Forces, which is estimated at more than 3,000 ships, has always carried out aggressive acts on the high seas and waters under the sovereignty of other countries, to coerce and intimidate Legal fishermen support the long-term maritime strategy of the Chinese Communist Party, ” the report said.
Recently, the United States Coast Guard has taken an increasingly assertive stance near China’s national territory, conducting its own exercises in the South China Sea and joining operations with the United States Navy. freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait.
Amid troubled relations between Washington and Beijing, the report shows the determination of the United States Coast Guard to increase operations against China’s high seas fishing fleet, estimated to include around 17,000 vessels, more than 12,000 of them operating in non-Chinese waters.
Although Chinese vessels are not the only ones fishing illegally in other countries’ waters, a June report by the London-based Overseas Development Institute indicated that China is a host country. Contribution to the “global fishing crisis”, since the country’s deep-sea fishing fleet is the largest in the world.
“The US Coast Guard will unravel the activities of those who violate the order based on international rules, expose and hold the most serious predators accountable.” This report says.
In February, Admiral Karl Schultz, commander of the US Coast Guard, said China was “one of the worst fishermen hunting criminals” and a threat to food security. from other countries.
“This is a national security challenge that needs a clear answer,” said Admiral Karl Schultz.
The report released Thursday also features similar terms. While China was not mentioned in the three “attempts” that the US Coast Guard would pursue, there was a clear emphasis on “hunting” behavior, Schultz said. that China has sinned.
On Thursday, Schultz appeared in a pre-recorded discussion by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, highlighting the role of the United States in helping other countries monitor Chinese fishing vessels. in its waters. Schultz pointed to a case in July when a U.S. Southern Command ship helped Ecuador locate a Chinese fleet of 300 ships operating off Ecuador’s waters.
However, the report does not specifically rule out cooperation with China. In his preface, Mr. Schultz praised the efforts of Operation North Pacific Defense Forces, a compliance effort by six countries, including China, that have fought against IUU fishing in the North Pacific. in the last 25 years.
“Our collective efforts have been highly successful in virtually eliminating illegal offshore fishing in the North Pacific,” he said.
Beijing has recently taken steps to curb Chinese fishing vessels operating in foreign waters.
In July, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs prohibited Chinese ships from catching squid in some parts of the Pacific and Atlantic so that depleted populations have time to recover. This three-month ban marks the first time that China has issued a ban on its fishing fleets from operating in international waters, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
