Chinese embassy releases a statement on its official website Photo: screenshot

In response to concerns that recently expressed by some Chilean fishermen about Chinese fishing vessels entering Chilean waters and ports, the Chinese Embassy in Chile issued a statement saying that as a responsible fishing nation, China strictly fulfills its flag state obligations, strengthens the supervision on distant-water fishing, and conducts 24-hour monitoring of the positions of distant-water fishing vessels. 

China requires these vessels to actively report their positions every hour, a frequency that is significantly higher than international norms, the embassy said in the statement released on its official website on Friday.

China actively engages in international cooperation to combat illegal fishing and rigorously investigates all leads on vessels suspected of violations. Once violations are confirmed, it adopts a zero-tolerance approach. 

Earlier this year, China's accession to Agreement on Port State Measures entered into force. Accordingly, Chinese fishing vessels entering other countries or economies for landing, unloading, or trading must comply with the agreement's provisions and undergo relevant inspections. China will also participate more deeply in international fisheries governance, vigorously combat illegal fishing, and promote the sustainable use of fishery resources, according to the embassy statement. 

The embassy said it has noticed that Chile's Under-secretariat of Fisheries, National Fisheries Service, Navy, and other departments have all issued statements saying  that the applications by Chinese fishing vessels to enter ports comply with international treaties and Chilean laws. 

Chilean authorities also have conducted close monitoring and onboard inspections of the relevant vessels and found no violations by the Chinese fishing vessels applying to enter ports. They have also emphasized that there is no evidence indicating that Chinese fishing vessels have engaged in fishing activities within Chile's exclusive economic zone. 

The accusations that "Chinese fishing vessels evade supervision and engage in illegal fishing" are completely unfounded, the embassy emphasized. 

It noted that China-Chile fisheries cooperation is mutually beneficial. The fisheries departments of the two countries maintain close policy communication. 

For four consecutive years, China has transferred surplus jack mackerel quotas to Chile under the framework of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO), bringing tangible benefits to the welfare of Chilean fishermen.

Meanwhile, the replenishment, repair, and crew rotation of Chinese distant-water fishing vessels in Chilean ports also contribute to local economic gains, job creation, and the development of the service industry. At present, China and Chile are exploring the establishment of an intergovernmental fisheries cooperation mechanism to deepen all-chain fisheries collaboration and jointly combat illegal fishing, the embassy added. 


Global Times