The Chinese government's own fishing ban in the East China Sea and other areas ended on the 16th, and fishing boats departed all at once at ports in the southern province of Fujian. The waters where the fishing ban is said to have been lifted include the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture and the area around Taiwan, and it will be interesting to see how the Chinese authorities manage Chinese fishing boats in the future.
The Chinese government has been prohibiting fishing in the East and South China Seas since May under the pretext of protecting fishery resources, and the ban was lifted at 5 p.m. on May 16, Japan time.
At a port in Quanzhou, Fujian Province in the south, fishing boats loaded with fishing gear set off firecrackers and set off all at once.
The waters that the Chinese government says it has lifted the fishing ban include the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture and the area around Taiwan.
Around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, cases of Chinese vessels navigating in the contiguous zone just outside territorial waters have become commonplace, and repeated incursions into territorial waters have continued to create tensions.
In addition, around Taiwan, China is increasing military pressure, including military exercises.
Taiwan is also scheduled to hold a presidential election in January next year.
Some local fishermen said they had been warned by the Chinese authorities not to approach the Taiwan area before the fishing ban was lifted.
In the future, it will be interesting to see how the Chinese authorities manage Chinese fishing boats with relations with Japan and Taiwan in mind.