China Upholds Fishing Rights in Disputed Waters

China has strengthened controls in the disputed waters & about 20 Chinese fishing vessels are operating off Huangyan Island

China has strengthened controls in the Huangyan Island waters in response to the actions of the Philippines, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in Beijing.

"The operating manners of the fishing boats is consistent with China's relevant laws as well as China's fishing moratorium orders," he said, rejecting some Philippine media reports which said China had sent nearly 100 vessels to the waters.

China has been implementing a summer fishing moratorium, lasting from May 16 to August 1, in some parts of the South China Sea, as a routine annual measure to rehabilitate marine resources.