China lodged representations to the Foreign Ministry of Vietnam
Sunday on the Chinese fishing boats being chased and shot by
Vietnamese armed boats.
"Chasing after and shooting at fishing boats under normal
operation should be regarded as a severe incident," said a
spokesperson from Foreign Ministry, adding that the Vietnamese side
should stop the action.
China made contacts with the Vietnamese side and lodged
representations shortly after being informed of the incident on
Saturday. At the same time, the Chinese Embassy to Vietnam also
made representations to the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry and
requested that the Vietnamese side stop the action mentioned above,
according to the spokesperson.
So far one of the two Chinese boats involved in the incident has
returned and the other one is still missing and efforts to search
for the missing one is underway.
"We will continue to express our concern for the incident. At
the same time, we also request that the Vietnamese side provide
cooperation in searching for the missing boat, make explanations
for the incident, earnestly take measures to prevent the similar
incidents from recurring and maintain the order of normal fishing
operation in the Beibu Bay," said the spokesperson.
(Xinhua News Agency September 29, 2003)