Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

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.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 23 July 2025 in response to Question HL9318.