Chinese Embassy in the Philippines denies Chinese fishermen involved in 'hit-and-run' incident
By Zhao Yipu
People's Daily app
1560522113000

Manila (People’s Daily) – The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines released a statement June 14 regarding the so-called collision of fishing boats of China and the Philippines last Sunday.

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File photo: VCG

The statement said that China’s preliminary investigation shows that at 2400 hours on June 9, 2019, Yuemaobinyu 42212, a Chinese fishing boat from Guangdong Province, China, was berthed at the vicinity of Liyue Tan (Reed Bank) (116 ° 40 'E, 11 ° 35' N) of the Nansha Qundao. It was suddenly besieged by seven or eight Filipino fishing boats. During evacuation, 42212 failed to avoid a Filipino fishing boat, and a steel cable bumped into the Filipino pilothouse. The Filipino fishing boat tilted and its stern foundered. 

The Chinese captain tried to rescue the Filipino fishermen, but was afraid of being besieged by other Filipino fishing boats. Therefore, having confirmed the fishermen from the Filipino boat were rescued and on board other Filipino fishing boats, 42212 sailed away from the scene. The statement said these facts show that there was no "hit-and-run."

“The Chinese side attaches great importance to China-Philippines friendship and the safety of life at sea, and will continue to properly handle this issue with the Philippines in a serious and responsible manner. The two sides are maintaining close communication through diplomatic channels,” said the statement.