Japan, China to Sign Accord on Maritime Rescue Operations

October 17, 2018

Tokyo- The Japanese and Chinese governments plan to sign an accord on search and rescue operations in maritime accidents in waters around the two countries, Japanese officials have said.

The conclusion of the SAR agreement, part of efforts to reinforce bilateral maritime cooperation, will coincide with a bilateral summit scheduled for Oct. 26, the officials said.

Japan has similar agreements with the United States, Russia and South Korea. The accord with the United States designates the sea areas each country is responsible for.

But no such area will be fixed under the planned accord with China, which claims sovereignty over the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

Japan and China broadly agreed to ink an SAR accord in December 2011. But negotiations did not progress due to a deterioration in bilateral relations.

At present, the Japan Coast Guard and Chinese authorities decide through consultations how to deal with maritime accidents requiring search and rescue operations.

Signing the agreement will be a "symbolic" move following the recent improvement in bilateral ties, a senior Foreign Ministry official said. Jiji Press