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Simona Botviciute,

Editor (Asia – Far East)

 

BEIJING – The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture released a statement on its main website (www.gov.cn) on Monday informing of the Chinese government’s decision to ban fishing in waters of the eastern coast of North Korea. Chinese authorities claim that such a decision was made due to a dispute over fuel supplies, which made the tension escalate between the two uneasy allies.

The released notice states that any fisherman or organisation that operates in these waters without the approval of Chinese authorities will be prosecuted according to criminal laws.

Such attempt to protect the safety of Chinese citizens is a result of failed negotiations between China Distant Water Fishery Association and North Korea Common Fishery Association. Last month, North Korea insisted that Chinese ships operating legally in its waters should purchase fuel from its suppliers instead of making their own arrangements.

“Our fishing boat owners and companies believe this decision by North Korea will affect normal fishing operations and safety, creating risks and dangers,” Chinese authorities reported on their website.

In addition, waters of the east coast of North Korea are considered to be risky due to the ‘complex, changeable situation on the Korean peninsula’, the government reported. However, the statement made no mention of Chinese boats operating near the North Korea’s western coast.

China is North Korea’s main economic and political backer, but the ties have been strained between the two parties since May when North Korea seized a Chinese fishing boat sailing in its western coast waters, prompting anger in China. Some of the Chinese banks have frozen out North Korea’s main foreign exchange bank expressing concerns and frustration over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes leading to tightened United Nations sanctions.

Image Courtesy: Anna Frodesiak (Wiki Commons) Released under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication

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Simona Botviciute

Simona Botviciute

Simona is the Editor of Asia – Far East section of The Global Panorama. She is continuously studying in School of Journalism, Media & Cultural Studies at Cardiff University. She enjoys both news writing and editorial type of work regarding any cultural or political aspect of Asian countries. Being a passionate music lover she is also a contributor to the Music section of the website.