The United States said on Thursday that new Chinese fishing restrictions in disputed waters in the South China Sea were “provocative and potentially dangerous,” as disquiet grew in Southeast Asia over the rules. The legislature of China’s Hainan province approved rules in November that took effect on Jan. 1 requiring foreign fishing vessels to obtain approval to enter waters under its jurisdiction. Such a move, if broadly enforced, could worsen tensions in the region. Beijing claims almost the entire oil- and gas-rich South China Sea, rejecting rival claims to parts of it from the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam. The fishing rules add another irritant to Sino- US ties, after China’s recent announcement of an air defense identification zone in the East China Sea drew sharp criticism from Washington.

New China fishing law 'dangerous,' says US. (2014, January 11). Philippine Daily Inquirer, pp. A1, A9.