Skipper seized off Japan
Source: Agencies |
November 8, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Chinese skipper of a fishing boat has been arrested in waters off southwestern Japan, Japanese authorities said yesterday.
Zhang Tianxiong was arrested on Sunday about 60 kilometers off Japan's Goto Islands in the East China Sea on charges of refusing inspection and fleeing authorities, the Japanese coast guard said.
It said Zhang, 47, from Fujian Province in southeastern China, refused an inspection after his 135-ton boat was sailing "through Japanese waters."
The boat ignored calls to stop, prompting a chase by the coast guard, which said it collided with the boat to stop it.
It was unclear why Zhang was fleeing. If convicted, he could face up to six months in jail or a fine of up to 300,000 yen (US$3,840).
Foreign boats are prohibited from fishing in Japanese territory, although they can enter the waters for other purposes, such as passing through or taking refuge.
A collision between Japanese patrol boats and a Chinese trawler in September 2010 near China's Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea resulted in the arrest of the captain and inflamed tensions between the countries, with China suspending ministerial-level contacts.
China also delayed talks on the joint development of undersea natural gas fields.
The captain was later released and sent back to China. Japanese prosecutors dropped their case against the Chinese captain in January.
Zhang Tianxiong was arrested on Sunday about 60 kilometers off Japan's Goto Islands in the East China Sea on charges of refusing inspection and fleeing authorities, the Japanese coast guard said.
It said Zhang, 47, from Fujian Province in southeastern China, refused an inspection after his 135-ton boat was sailing "through Japanese waters."
The boat ignored calls to stop, prompting a chase by the coast guard, which said it collided with the boat to stop it.
It was unclear why Zhang was fleeing. If convicted, he could face up to six months in jail or a fine of up to 300,000 yen (US$3,840).
Foreign boats are prohibited from fishing in Japanese territory, although they can enter the waters for other purposes, such as passing through or taking refuge.
A collision between Japanese patrol boats and a Chinese trawler in September 2010 near China's Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea resulted in the arrest of the captain and inflamed tensions between the countries, with China suspending ministerial-level contacts.
China also delayed talks on the joint development of undersea natural gas fields.
The captain was later released and sent back to China. Japanese prosecutors dropped their case against the Chinese captain in January.
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