CHINA TOPIX

03/29/2024 06:04:53 am

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China Responds Strongly to South Korea's use of Force Against Chinese Fishing Boats

China Foreign Ministry

(Photo : Getty Images ) Beijing has slammed South Korea for using force against Chinese fishing vessels.

China has expressed its displeasure over South Korea's use of force against Chinese fishing vessels in the Yellow Sea.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said during a regular press briefing on Wednesday that Beijing is "strongly" dissatisfied with South Korea for using "extreme measures" against Chinese finishing boats.  

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"The Chinese side is strongly dissatisfied with the use of force by the ROK side in its law enforcement operation," Hua said. "We have, more than once, made solemn representations with the ROK about its coast guard's use of force in law enforcement operations. The use of destructive weapons against fishing boats in the rough sea will highly likely cause casualties or property losses."

China called on Seoul to South Korea to exercise restraint and refrain from "extreme measures" that may endanger the Chinese fishermen.

Earlier this week, South Korean Coast Guard fired a M60 machine gun at two Chinese finishing vessels after they were found operating illegally in country's exclusive economic zone. The South Korean Coast Guard, which captured the two Chinese fishing boats, is currently interrogating two captains and nearly 20 crews to find out details of the illegal fishing in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

"The decision to use the weapon was made to safeguard the officers who had already boarded the Chinese vessels, and would have been cut off if other Chinese vessels succeeded in ramming the patrol boats that took part in the seizure operations," the South Korean Coast Guard said in a statement on Wednesday. 

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