China expresses ”sympathy to the Filipino fishermen” in collision

June 18, 2019

China expressed its "sympathy to the Filipino fishermen who were in distress" and assured it will “continue to earnestly investigate into this matter.”

But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang added  in a statement Monday it called “irresponsible” and “counter-constructive” the "political interpretations" and criticisms on the Reed Bank incident involving  the collision between a  Chinese vessel and a Filipino fishing boat.  

“We are ready to enhance communication with the Philippine side on the investigation, increase understanding, dispel mistrust and find out what actually happened,” the Chinese official said.

Lu said it was an “accidental collision” and Filipino and Chinese fishermen “have long been friendly to each other, rendering mutual assistance to the best of their capabilities in times of need."

On June 9, 22 Filipino crew were said to have been left at Recto Bank off West Philippine Sea after fishing boat was allegedly hit by a Chinese vessel.

“It is irresponsible and counter-constructive to link this incident with China-Philippines friendship or even make political interpretations out of it,” said Lu.

President Rodrigo Duterte has not publicly criticized Beijing, but his spokesman Salvador Panelo called the incident “uncivilized and outrageous.”

Speaking before the United Nations on Monday, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. related the incident.

“The rescue of persons in distress is a universally recognized obligation of people and governments; and in civil law and, maybe even in common law, it is a felony to abandon people in distress, especially when we cause that distress; and more so when it is no bother at all to save them at no risk to oneself,” Locsin said.

A Department of Foreign Affairs statement said Locsin “was referring to the sinking by a Chinese vessel of a Philippine fishing vessel anchored in Recto Bank in Palawan, in the West Philippine Sea on 9 June 2019.”

“The 22 Filipino crew were left in the water until a Vietnamese vessel took them on board,” the DFA said.

A Vietnamese vessel rescued the Filipino crewmen of Gim-ver 1 and were later recovered  a patrolling Philippine Navy ship.

In his speech, Locsin thanked Vietnam for “this act of mercy and decency.”

Manila has filed a diplomatic protest. DMS