China has strongly refuted a report by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that issued negative certifications concerning China's distant-water fishing practices. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun labeled these certifications as baseless, lacking factual evidence and international legal grounding, and characterized the move as "stark political manipulation" intended to impede China's fishing industry. Guo asserted China's status as a responsible fishing nation, contrasting it with the U.S.'s alleged poor record in illegal fishing, resource depletion, and pollution. China highlights its robust legal framework, strict enforcement, and active participation in international fisheries management, including its April 2025 accession to the Agreement on Port State Measures. The spokesperson also accused the U.S. of overfishing tuna beyond quotas in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.