The Chinese fishing boat and sailors detained in Japan were released and sailed directly back to China after paying a fine, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Wednesday.

Hong said at a daily press briefing that the matter is an ordinary fishery incident which has been resolved properly.

"The detained Chinese boat, captain and 10 crew members headed for China after being punished with a fine," Hong said.

According to a Jiji press report, a Japanese coast guard patrol boat on Sunday spotted two Chinese fishing boats close to the islands off Japan's southwest coast.

Zhang Tianxiong, the 47-year-old captain of one of the fishing boats was arrested and detained along with 10 crew members.

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