The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines on Monday said the West Philippine Sea is a “traditional fishing ground” for Chinese fishermen. The embassy made the statement in response to the diplomatic protest filed by the Department of Foreign Affairs over the presence of Chinese vessels in the Julian Felipe Reef in April. More than 100 Chinese vessels were found illegally operating in the maritime waters of Julian Felipe Reef, which is within the territorial sea of the Kalayaan Island Group on April 4, 2022, the DFA said.

Requejo, R. E., & Ramos-Araneta, M. (2022, June 14). China says WPS traditional fishing area of Chinese. Manila Standard, pp. A1, A2.