MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Canada will help the Philippines detect illegal fishing with its satellite surveillance system under a new agreement, Philippine officials said Monday. Illegal and unregulated fishing is a problem across the Philippine archipelago, including in disputed areas of the South China Sea. China claims virtually the entire South China Sea on historical grounds but this was invalidated by an arbitration tribunal ruling in 2016. Political Cartoons View All 1211 ImagesAside from China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have had overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea, which straddles one of the world's busiest sea lanes. Canada is among several Western countries that have recognized the 2016 arbitration ruling and called on countries, including China, to respect it.

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Organizations: —, National Coast Watch Center of, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine, Foreign Affairs Department Locations: MANILA, Philippines, — Canada, Philippine, Manila, South China, Ottawa, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Brunei, Canada