China will consider Japan's request to salvage a ship sunk in its exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea in accordance with international and domestic laws, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao Tuesday.
At a regular press conference, he said Japan recently reported to China the outcome of its undersea survey on the unidentified ship sunk in the East China sea, and made a request to salvage the ship.
China will study Japan's request in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the relevant Chinese law, he noted, adding that the two parties would confer on compensation issues at an appropriate time.
On December 22 last year, the unidentified ship sank within China's exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea, after being pursued and fired at by Japanese Coast Guards.
Japan acknowledged that China holds the sovereignty right and administrative jurisdiction of the zone, and promised to report the operation and outcome of its undersea survey to China in compliance with the UN convention.
(Xinhua News Agency June 11, 2002)
