The Philippines protested China's imposition of a "unilateral," four-month-long fishing moratorium in the South China Sea as the ban covered the Philippines' maritime zones. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in a statement on Monday, said China began the fishing ban on May 1, which is expected to last until September 16. "Through a diplomatic note, the Philippines protested the ban insofar as it includes the Philippines maritime zones over which the Philippines has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction," the DFA said.

Tamayo, B. E. (2024, May 28). PH protests fishing ban in South China Sea. The Manila Times, p. A3.