Four years later, Japanese authorities have once again detained a mainland Chinese fishing vessel
Against the backdrop of continued tension in Sino-Japanese relations, Japan has taken aggressive actions against Chinese fishing vessels in disputed waters.
According to Kyodo News on February 13, the Japan Fisheries Agency's Kyushu Fisheries Adjustment Office announced that on the 12th, near 170 kilometers southwest of Omishima Island in Nishisonogi City, Nagasaki Prefecture, the Japan Fisheries Agency forcibly detained a mainland Chinese fishing vessel carrying 11 people, citing the suspicion of ignoring the stop order and fleeing, and arrested the 47-year-old Chinese captain.
This is the first time this year that the Japan Fisheries Agency has detained a foreign fishing vessel, and also the first such action against a mainland Chinese fishing vessel since 2022.
According to the announcement by the Japan Fisheries Agency, on February 12, when Japanese enforcement vessels were patrolling in the sea about 165 kilometers south of Omishima Island in Nishisonogi City, Nagasaki Prefecture, they discovered a Chinese fishing vessel engaged in fishing operations. Japan claimed that the area was within its so-called Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and accordingly issued a stop order to the Chinese fishing vessel, demanding a boarding inspection. In response to Japan's improper law enforcement demands, the fishing vessel did not comply and left the scene. Subsequently, Japan deployed four enforcement vessels, "Shirahama", "Nanotsu", "Musashi", and "Shirahagi", to surround and intercept the fishing vessel, eventually forcing it to be intercepted and detained, and arresting the captain on suspicion of violating Japan's Fishery Rights Act.
It is worth noting that China has never recognized Japan's unilateral claim of the exclusive economic zone in this area.
The announcement stated that the involved Chinese fishing vessel was a "tiger net" fishing vessel, mainly targeting mackerel and saury. At present, Japan has not disclosed whether the Chinese captain has admitted the relevant charges.
It is understood that the agency has long been conducting boarding inspections in the surrounding seas of Japan for so-called "illegal fishing". Its annual report shows that last year, the agency detained two foreign fishing vessels, including one from Taiwan and one from South Korea. In 2024, the agency conducted seven boarding inspections, detained one fishing vessel from Taiwan, and seized 18 cases of illegal fishing gear.
At a time when Japan has been active on issues related to China and Sino-Japanese relations have been under pressure, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao stated on the 10th that the current Sino-Japanese relations face the most severe and complex situation since the normalization of diplomatic relations, and the responsibility lies entirely with Japan.
Wu Jianghao also said that Japanese right-wing forces have been promoting the so-called "normalization of the country" for 80 years, implying that the post-war 80 years are "unnormal," and this rhetoric means what for neighboring countries and regional peace and stability, which deserves deep reflection by all parties. China has sufficient capability and firm determination to safeguard national core interests, while continuing to actively manage major power relations, maintain regional peace and development, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1856977582100743/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.