MOFTEC Addresses Implications of Fire off Taiwan

Home>>China

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, July 11, 2002

MOFTEC Addresses Implications of Fire off Taiwan

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC) addressed the wider issue of cross-Straits fishing cooperation in Beijing on Wednesday after a fire at sea involving fishermen from the Chinese mainland.

A Taiwanese boat accommodating mainland fishermen caught fire off Kaohsiung, in southern Taiwan, on Tuesday. Of the 128 people on board, 127 were rescued and one was still missing, a MOFTEC official said.

He said the mainland side was concerned about the issue. It sent its regards to the fishermen and hoped Taiwan would look after them, treat the 10 injured fishermen, search for the missing man, and always keep the mainland informed.

He said cooperation between the mainland fishermen and Taiwanese fishing companies benefited both sides, but the incident highlighted once again the problem of the mainland fishermen's lack of legal rights.

Due to restrictions imposed by the Taiwan authorities, some mainland fishermen employed by Taiwan fishing vessels have to live in "floating hostels" when they are not working, the official said. Not being allowed to land, they lived in miserable conditions.

This kind of practice that ignored the safety of mainland fishermen was the major cause of such incidents, which had hindered progress in fishing cooperation across the Taiwan Straits,he said.

The mainland side was worried about the safety of those still living in "floating hostels", he said.

To make progress in cross-Straits fishing cooperation and safeguard mainland fishermen's legal rights, the official said he hoped non-governmental organizations from both sides would set up a forum as soon as possible to negotiate over remaining issues. He also hoped the Taiwan authorities would take effective measures to safeguard mainland fishermen's rights in the interests of better cross-Straits fishing cooperation.

Questions?Comments? Click here

One Missing, 132 Fishermen Rescued from Burning Boat

Iraq Vows to Foil Hostile US Plans ( 3 Messages)

China to Boost the Service Sector to Create More Jobs ( 105 Messages)

Chinese Satellite TV Hijacked by Falun Gong Cult ( 3 Messages)

Shanghai Plans Asia's Biggest Shopping Center ( 64 Messages)

Ways China's Wealth Flows into the US ( 5 Messages)