MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines will not recognize the fisheries law implemented by China in the waters off Hainan province, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.

“We don’t recognize it, that’s why we are protesting about its declaration and implementation,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said when asked for a categorical response by media regarding Hainan’s new law.

“This law being a Hainan law covers not only their maritime zone but also the maritime zones of other coastal states including the Philippines particularly our 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ),” Hernandez said.

China’s southernmost province of Hainan passed last November 2013 a new fisheries law requiring foreign vessels to seek permission from regional authorities before conducting fishing or surveying activities in its waters.

The law took effect January 1, 2014.