China concerned over ROK warning shots on fishermen

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China has voiced grave concern over reports of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Coast Guard firing warning shots toward Chinese fishing boats, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Hua Chunying said, "We hope that the ROK side can properly handle the issue, avoid taking radical measures that could endanger people's safety in the process of law enforcement, and protect Chinese fishermen's safety and legal rights."

Hua urged the ROK to strengthen communication with China on fishing and work together to safeguard order in the waters in question.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the ROK Coast Guard on Tuesday fired around 180 warning shots towards some 40 Chinese fishing boats that they deemed to be illegally working in the ROK Exclusive Economic Zone after the boats ignored warnings.

Yonhap called illegal fishing by Chinese boats in ROK waters a “long-running headache.”

Though vowing to strengthen overseas fishery management, China has also protested many times over the ROK's use of force in dealing with the issue.

Three Chinese fishermen were killed last September in a fire that broke out on their boat when ROK coast guard crew trying to apprehend them threw flash grenades into a room they were hiding in.

(With input from agencies)

(Top image file photo)