Four Japanese citizens have been fined 20,000 yuan (US$2,590)
for illegal mapping and surveying activities in northwest China's
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the regional
bureau of surveying and mapping said yesterday.
The four Japanese scholars, including Hidehiro Soma and three
others, were asked by Japan's Research Institute for Humanity and
Nature to carry out research into the ecological and environmental
changes in the Ebinur Lake, a salt lake in Xinjiang.
On March 5, the four men used GPS equipment to survey and map
the area. Li Quanzhan, director of the bureau, said they had not
obtained approval to carry out such mapping activities and their
act had violated relevant Chinese laws.
"It was disrespectful to Chinese laws and their actions will not
help research cooperation between the two countries," he said,
adding that the bureau had confiscated the surveying equipment and
results.
The four men later apologized and promised to abide by Chinese
laws in future research activities in the country.
Last April, two Japanese scholars were fined 80,000 yuan
(US$10,360.5) and deported for mapping the coordinates of an
airport and water facilities in Hotan of Xinjiang.
Statistics from the bureau showed there were 759 cases of
illegal surveying and mapping in 2006, many of which involved
foreign organizations and individuals.
According to a new regulation that came to effect on March 1
this year, foreign organizations and individuals who intend to
engage in surveying and mapping must obtain approval from the
central government and be supervised by local governments.
(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2007)
