China introduced criminal penalties for foreign illegal fishermen

Almaty. August 3. Silkroadnews – Beijing introduced criminal penalties for illegal foreign fishing in Chinese waters, TASS reports.

As noted, according to a new decision by China’s Supreme Court, those that operating “illegally” could be a subject to up to a year in jail.

Until now, foreign illegal fishermen detained by Chinese patrol boats were expelled from the territorial waters or exclusive economic zones, in some cases with confiscation of catches or fishing tackle. Now, however, they will become subject to legal prosecution and fines.

At the same time, the Court did not specify whether the innovation to cover the disputed waters of the South China Sea, where Beijing has long-standing territorial disputes with the Philippines, Vietnam and other countries of the region.