Written question asked by Feryal Clark (Labour) on Friday, 29 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 June 2026. It was answered by Seema Malhotra (Labour) on Thursday, 4 June 2026 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

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China: Fisheries

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of China’s unilateral 2026 fishing ban in the South China Sea covering waters between 12°N and 26°30'N; whether the Government plans to make representations to the Government of China regarding that ban or issue a formal statement on its legality; and what discussions she has had with international partners, including ASEAN states, on the implications of the ban for the rules-based international order and freedom of navigation.