The New York Times (NYT) recently published a pair of articles, claiming that China's growing fish consumption and fishing activities are posing a threat to world maritime resources. This, one article claims, is "a good example" of China being "willing to flout international law" and "[harming] other countries for the sake of helping itself," even when it follows the law. 

Such claims gained widespread attention after US actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who has been outspoken about environmental issues but also faces criticism for his luxurious lifestyle and hypocrisy, reposted them on social media. The actor further asserted that China's deep-sea fishing "has raised alarms about the impact on local economies as well as the commercial sustainability of ocean species." 

As the US has mounted a full-fledged containment of China, such smearing claims from foreign media outlets and individuals against China are nothing new. And, a Global Times investigation into the claims shows that they are groundless and slanderous, and are aimed at smearing China.

In interviews with the Global Times, many industry insiders pointed out that China farms a majority (80.6 percent) of its fish consumption and is a major exporter of aquatic products. China's aquatic farming accounts over 60 percent of the world's total output. Unsurprisingly, the US and the EU are the biggest importers and consumers of the world's fish, they added.

Moreover, China follows international law in high-sea fishing and has taken a slew of measures to ensure sustainability in its fishing industry, industry insiders stressed, pointing to China's observing of fishing moratoriums in many regions to protect species.