Xinhua News Agency, 26-09-2005 08:21:10
Working group to head for Indonesia over fishing dispute
BEIJING, Sep. 26 -- China will send its first working group to Indonesia to deal with
the incident last week in which the Indonesian navy fired upon Chinese fishing
vessels.
The working group includes representatives from the ministries of Agriculture and
Foreign Affairs, the municipal government of Dalian and the town government where
the vessel company is registered.
The vessel company said that they would ask for compensation from Indonesia. They
have sent 10,000 yuan (US$1,233) to the family of fisherman Nie Weiqiang, who died
in the incident.
China on Friday lodged solemn representations to Indonesia after the incident,
demanding an early release of the detained vessel and crew members.
The incident took place at 10:50 am local time last Monday in the Arafura Sea off
Papua Island. The navy fired 13 shots at the Chinese boat named Fuyuan 123, killing
one man and wounding two crew members. The 10 crew, including the wounded, are
still being detained in Indonesia.
Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Shen Guofang urgently summoned charge
d'affaires of the Indonesian Embassy in China and lodged solemn representations
again, said the Xinhua report yesterday, quoting a press release by the Chinese
Foreign Ministry last Friday.
Shen, on behalf of the Chinese Government, expressed astonishment and strong
dissatisfaction over the navy's inhumane method of law enforcement, demanding the
Indonesian side verify the truth as quickly as possible and keep China informed.
Shen also requested the Indonesian side try its best to provide medical aid to the
wounded and release the crew and vessel as soon as possible, according to the
release.
The charge d'affaires said he will convey China's concerns to the Indonesian
Government. The wounded fishermen have been properly looked after and the other
crew members well treated, he said. (Source: Xinhua/China Daily)
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