China has approved Japan's request to salvage a sunken boat in the
East China Sea, Liu Jianchao, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry
said Tuesday at a regular press conference held in Beijing.
Liu said since the beginning of June, Japan had requested China's
permission to salvage the boat and the two sides had been in
negotiations.
Japan acknowledged that China had sovereignty and administrative
jurisdiction of the exclusive economic zone and had made
explanations and commitments to China on issues of great concern.
In this way, China decided to approve Japan's request in accordance
with the Chinese law on marine transportation security, law on
marine environmental protection and other related laws.
China will monitor the procedure of the salvage under the
international law and other domestic rules and laws, said Liu.
The Japanese side made several commitments, said Liu, adding that
Japan had promised to cooperate with Chinese monitoring boats
during the process and to take measures to ensure that the salvage
operation would not cause pollution.
Japan would inform China of the salvage process and investigation
results. After the operation, all Japanese boats would withdraw
from the area.
The Japanese side would also make a serious study and give a
serious reply as early as possible to China in respect of
compensations to the Chinese side, said the spokesman.
(Xinhua News
Agency June 19, 2002)