China Keeps Close Watch on Japan's Search for Sunken Ship: FM Spokesman

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, February 27, 2002

China Keeps Close Watch on Japan's Search for Sunken Ship: FM Spokesman

China is keeping close watch on Japan's search for an unidentified ship which sank in the East China Sea after an exchange of fire with Japanese patrol vessels two months ago, and has urged Japan to fully respect China's interests and concerns in the whole process, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan.

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Japanese Destroyer Sinks Fishing Ship over International Water

China is keeping close watch on Japan's search for a sunken ship in the East China Sea, and has urged Japan to fully respect China's interests and concerns in the whole process, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman.

Japan has began a sonar search for an unidentified ship which sank after an exchange of fire with Japanese patrol vessels two months ago.

"China has maintained close contact with Japan on the matter, and has insisted that Japan should fully respect China's interests and concerns when handling the incident," spokesman Kong Quan said.

"China has frequently sent law enforcement boats to patrol the area," he told the press here Tuesday.

The spokesman urged Japan to handle the incident "carefully", because the shipwreck is within the Chinese exclusive economic zone, where China claims sovereignty and jurisdictional rights in resources, environment, and other fields, according to a U.N. convention on the law of the sea.

He said some areas within China's administration of its exclusive economic zone, such as the marine environment, resources and fishery would be involved in the salvage of the ship.

Japanese Destroyer Sinks Fishing Ship over International Water

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Japan Should Fully Respect China's Interests, Concern Regarding Boat Sinking

Japan should fully respect China's interests and concerns in handling the December 22 incident involving Japanese patrol vessels which traded shots with an unidentified boat that later sank in the East China Sea. (In Detail)

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