AFP: More than 400 foreign fishing vessels in WPS, 85% from China

In this March 7, 2021 photo, around 220 Chinese militia vessels were spotted moored at Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun) in the West Philippine Sea. (NTF WPS)

PALAWAN, Philippines — There are “more than 400” foreign fishing vessels within the country’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said on Thursday.

Carlos added that 85 percent of the vessels are from China.

China is claiming jurisdiction over almost the entire South China Sea, including the WPS through its nine-dash line.

But the Philippines challenged this before the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which later invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claim.

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