China Calls for Release of Fishermen Convicted in Philippines
China called on the Philippines Tuesday to release nine Chinese fisherman convicted of poaching after they were detained while in disputed waters, saying the incident was a violation of Beijing's sovereignty.
The nine, arrested in May, were fined $100,000 each for poaching with an additional 120,000 pesos ($2,730) fine for catching an endangered species, prosecutor Allen Ross Rodriguez said Monday in the town of Puerto Princesa on Palawan island.
China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, including Half Moon Shoal and other areas near Palawan that are also claimed by the Philippines.
"We urge the Philippines to unconditionally release the Chinese boat and the Chinese fishermen," Hua Chunying, a foreign ministry spokeswoman, said at a regularly scheduled press briefing.
"The Philippines has illegally detained Chinese fisherman and made so-called judicial convictions, these actions have violated China's sovereignty."
Beijing's claim covers vast fishing areas and shipping lanes which potentially hold valuable mineral resources. It also conflicts with the claims of Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.
The Philippines in March filed a formal plea to the United Nations challenging China's claims, but Beijing has rejected UN arbitration.
Originally, 11 Chinese were found on the boat, but two were were minors and were repatriated without charge.
China refused to cooperate in the legal proceedings against the fishermen and failed to provide a defence lawyer or translator for them -- a move which prosecutors said delayed the proceedings.
The court also ordered the confiscation of the fishermen's gear and their vessel, which it turned over to the Palawan government.
Source: Agence France Presse
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