Published on Sep 13, 2012 by NHKReloaded

NHK World News ---- Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai

Description -- China says that after a seasonal fishing ban is lifted on Sunday, its patrol ships will protect fishing boats operating near the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.

On Thursday, China's Agriculture Ministry website posted comments by a fishery bureau official regarding the country's claims to waters around the disputed islands.

The official said a 3-month fishing ban will be lifted on Sunday noon in the East China Sea, where the islands are located. The official explained that many fishing boats are preparing to sail for areas near the islands.

The fishery bureau official stressed that China plans to strengthen its sovereignty claim over the Senkakus, which the Japanese government recently nationalized.

The official said that in accordance with Chinese law, continuous patrols will protect fishing in the country's territorial waters to safeguard its maritime interests.

In April, Chinese survey ships blocked a Philippine naval frigate from seizing Chinese fishing boats near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. The incident led to a 2-month-long standoff between Chinese patrol boats and a Philippine coast guard vessel and fisheries bureau survey ship.

When a fishing ban was lifted in August, a large fleet of Chinese fishing boats headed for areas around the shoal in an apparent move to step up China's territorial claims.
Sep. 13, 2012 - Updated 21:07 UTC (06:07 JST)