Indonesia urged to discipline its navy
By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-09-23 05:56

China yesterday expressed shock and dissatisfaction over the Indonesian navy's killing of a Chinese fisherman in Indonesian waters.

A navy warship opened fire on four Chinese fishing boats on Monday, killing one man and wounding another two.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular press conference that Beijing demands the Indonesian Government ascertain the facts and then notify China.

"At the same time, the Indonesian side should take all necessary measures to treat the injured sailors and protect the personal safety of other crew," he said, noting that the two injured crew members and eight others are still detained in Indonesia.

Qin said China and Indonesia are friendly countries and should take a sober and restrained attitude rather than resorting to the use of force when dealing with such problems.

"China hopes the Indonesian Government will take effective measures to discipline the navy and relevant units, shun the abuse of force in the course of law enforcement and guarantee no more incidents of this kind will occur in future," said Qin.

East China Sea oilfields

The spokesman also said that China is willing to resolve the issue of the disputed oilfields in the East China Sea through dialogue with Japan while at the same time reiterating its position.