China News Service, Beijing, December 25 (Li Jingze) In response to the US claim that China’s fisheries sector forced labor, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin responded at a regular press conference on the 25th, “We are firmly opposed to unfounded and confusing right and wrong. Malicious slander and attack."
A reporter asked questions. The US media reported that a joint report submitted by the US government to Congress stated that Chinese fishing boats are engaged in a large number of illegal, unannounced and unregulated fishing operations around the world, and the fishery sector has serious problems with forced labor.
What is China's response?
Wang Wenbin said that China is a responsible fishery country, attaches great importance to the scientific conservation and sustainable use of fishery resources, and actively fulfills its international obligations.
China has established a complete ocean-going fishery management system and implemented the world's most stringent fishing vessel position monitoring and management measures.
In the high seas of the Southeast Pacific and the Southwest Atlantic, an autonomous fishing moratorium was implemented.
China has joined 8 regional fisheries management organizations, and all of them are ranked in the forefront of compliance performance.
At the same time, China is actively working with the international community to crack down on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities. In 2021, it will also implement the high seas reprinting report and the high seas reprinting observer system to make active efforts to conserve the high seas fishery resources.
Wang Wenbin said that, referring to the international practice of the ocean fishing industry, Chinese ocean fishing companies have independently established labor cooperation relationships with some countries through market-oriented methods, achieving mutual benefit and win-win results. There is no such thing as “forced labor”.
China and the competent authorities of relevant countries have also established a bilateral fishery labor cooperation mechanism and maintained good communication.
"We are firmly opposed to malicious smears and attacks that are groundless and confusing."
Wang Wenbin pointed out that the number of days the U.S. purse seine vessel has been operating on the high seas has greatly exceeded the number of days set by the relevant fishery management organizations, and it has violated regulations for many years. This behavior of the United States has aroused the concern of other members of the relevant organizations.
"Then should the U.S. review, review and correct its violations." (End)