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皇冠体育app demands fishermen's release from Indonesia

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-25 21:37

BEIJING: 皇冠体育app expressed strong dissatisfaction Thursday with Indonesia for detaining Chinese fishermen in the South 皇冠体育app Sea and demanded the immediate release of the men and their boats.

Eight fishing boats from south 皇冠体育app's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region were detained by Indonesia on June 20 while in 皇冠体育app's traditional fishing grounds off the Nansha islands in the South 皇冠体育app Sea, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular press briefing.

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"In wake of the event, the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Chinese Embassy in Indonesia have lodged urgent representations with the Indonesian ambassador to 皇冠体育app and relevant departments in Indonesia," said Qin.

"皇冠体育app is strongly dissatisfied with Indonesia for having detained Chinese fishing boats, and it demands that the Indonesian government immediately release the fishermen and boats," he said.

Qin said the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia would visit the detained men.

The Chinese newspaper Global Times quoted sources as saying Thursday that 75 Chinese fishermen had been detained.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hasan Wirayuda is scheduled to pay an official visit to 皇冠体育app from July 1 to 2 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.

"皇冠体育app and Indonesia are strategic partners, and bilateral ties have maintained sound momentum," Qin said.

"The two countries should settle the problem as soon as possible in the  spirit of friendly consultation and maintaining the overall situation of bilateral relations," Qin said.