Promoting cooperation in ensuring just and humane treatment of fishermen in the South China Sea

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The “Workshop on Promoting Cooperation in Ensuring Just and Humane Treatment of Fishermen in the South China Sea” took place online and offline under the ASEAN-China Joint Working Group on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (JWG-DOC). 

Speaking at the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung affirmed that, as the first activity to implement the DOC so far this year, the workshop is of great significant in contributing to maintaining the momentum achieved. 

Also as the first workshop to be held in the unprecedented modality, it demonstrates the resolve of ASEAN and China to overcome difficulties and challenges as well as creativeness to adapt to the “new normal” with a view to moving forward dialogue and cooperation for the sake of full and effective implementation of the DOC.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung speaking at the event.

He pointed out that, among the sea-going persons in the South China Sea, fishermen constitute a major group. In the societies of ASEAN Member States and China, fishermen hold a special position. At the same time, fishermen are vulnerable to danger or distress situations at sea. They include, among others, increasingly complex weather patterns and frequency of natural disaster, accidents and collisions. 

Over the past years, ASEAN Member States and China have undertaken various efforts in providing assistance and ensuring humane treatment to fishermen, including through their implementation of existing instruments related to safety of life at sea. 

At the same time, it should be acknowledged that protection and provision of just, humane treatment to fishermen are cross-sectoral in nature, which requires a holistic approach to address. Besides, there remains certain difference in each others’ understanding on the issue, which results in different application of law enforcement practice.

In this context, it is important to promote dialogue and cooperation between ASEAN and China in ensuring just and humane treatment of fishermen, especially those who are in danger or distress situation. This is not just a confidence building measure to implement the DOC. Instead, this is a priority area of practical cooperation that should be promoted for the benefit of fishing communities and the people as a whole in the region.

"In this context and in accordance with the DOC, Viet Nam has proposed to organize the Workshop on Promoting Cooperation in Ensuring Just and Humane Treatment to Fishermen in the South China Sea", Dung stated. 

Within the workshop, the participants discussed the dangers and distress situation that fishermen are facing in the South China Sea, as well as reviewed national, regional and international best practices related to the fair and humane treatment of fishermen. 

With that, participants of the workshop could gain better understanding of each other’s views on the issue and more importantly, come up with measures to promote practical cooperation in this area.