(Illustration photo: Ngọc Ha/VNA)

China’s ban on fishing in the East Sea, even in areas claimed by Vietnam, is wrong and groundless and violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over its territorial waters. Vietnam Fisheries Association said yesterday that the irrational ban would disrupt the livelihoods of Vietnamese fishermen and blatantly violates Vietnamese sea and island sovereignty. The Association will work closely with relevant agencies and Fisheries Associations at all levels to give fishermen necessary instructions on how to continue their fishing activities in a legal and safe way and contribute to the defense of Vietnam’s maritime sovereignty.