The Philippines should consider restricting fish imports from China to assert its sovereignty claims in the South China Sea, defense analysts said at the weekend. Limiting fish imports — or banning them outright — would send a strong signal against Chinese harassment of Philippine ships and illegal fishing activities in areas claimed by the Philippines, they added. “A restriction on Chinese fish imports gathered from illegal and unregulated fishing in the South China Sea is highly encouraged, as these fishes being sold to the Philippines probably came from the West Philippine Sea,” Chester B. Cabalza, founding president of Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, said in a Facebook Messenger chat, referring to waters within Manila’s 200-nautical mile (37 kilometers) exclusive economic zone.

Basilio, K. C. L. (2025, June 30). Analysts urge Manila to curb Chinese fish imports to send strong signal. BusinessWorld, p. S1/10.