A: Hey there! Did you catch the news?
B: No, what's up?

A: So, Chinese fishing boats started sailing again after a yearly ban ended!
B: Where they heading this time?

A: They're heading to waters around Taiwan and the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
B: Wait a minute... Isn't that part of Japan?

A: Yeah, exactly! Japan controls the Senkaku islands, but China and Taiwan claim them too.
B: Ooh, sounds tricky! The Chinese government just lifted the ban they have each year to protect marine resources, right?

A: That's correct! Last time this happened in 2016, it caused tensions when over 200 fishing boats swarmed near the islands and some even entered Japan's territorial waters.
B: I remember that! So, they're trying to avoid that this year, right?

A: Exactly! Fujian provincial authorities told fishers to be careful in sensitive sea areas and avoid political risks. They also plan to strengthen monitoring and law enforcement measures for the ships.
B: One of them even told NHK they can't operate near Japan and Taiwan, so their activities are limited to designated maritime zones.

A: Chinese government ships have entered Japan's territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands before, and the Japan Coast Guard says a record high number were spotted in 2024!
B: Whoa, that sounds intense! Let's hope things stay peaceful this year!
----------------

Fishing boats have set sail from Chinese ports after the lifting of an annual ban on operating in parts of the East and South China Seas.



The areas include waters around Taiwan, and those off the Senkaku Islands in Japan's Okinawa Prefecture.



Japan controls the Senkaku islands. The Japanese government maintains they are an inherent part of Japan's territory. China and Taiwan claim them.



On Saturday, the Chinese government lifted the ban that it had imposed each year for what it says was to protect marine resources.



A large number of boats left a port in Quanzhou in Fujian Province, facing the East China Sea.



Tensions were raised after the ban was lifted in 2016, when more than 200 fishing boats swarmed to waters near the islands. Some of them, including Chinese government vessels, entered Japan's territorial waters.



Fujian provincial authorities apparently hope to prevent tensions this year. They have instructed fishers to be rigorously attentive to sensitive sea areas and consciously avoid political risk. Officials are expected to strengthen monitoring and law enforcement measures for the ships.



One of the fishers told NHK that they are not allowed to operate near Japan and Taiwan, and that their activities are restricted to designated maritime zones.



Chinese government ships have often entered Japan's territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands. The Japan Coast Guard says a record high number of such vessels were spotted in the contiguous zone just outside Japanese territorial waters on 355 days in 2024.
----------------

Quiz 1:
Which areas have fishing boats started operating after the lifting of an annual ban?
A. West China Seas
B. East China Seas
C. South China Seas around Taiwan
D. South China Seas not related to Taiwan

Answers: Quiz 1: B

Quiz 2:
Which of the following statements about the Senkaku Islands is true?
A. Japan does not claim the Senkaku Islands.
B. The Senkaku Islands are part of China's territory.
C. The Japanese government maintains they are an inherent part of Japan's territory.
D. Taiwan does not claim the Senkaku Islands.

Answers: Quiz 2: C

Quiz 3:
In which province did a large number of boats leave after the ban was lifted?
A. Zhejiang Province
B. Shanghai Province
C. Fujian Province
D. Guangdong Province

Answers: Quiz 3: C