Japan Arrests Chinese Trawler for Refusing a Fishery Inspection
Japanese authorities have boarded and detained a Chinese fishing boat in the East China Sea, the first time that Japan has conducted an at-sea arrest of a Chinese fishing vessel in years.
On Thursday, Japanese fisheries control agents attempted to intercept and board a Chinese trawler at a position about 100 nautical miles south of Goto. The vessel attempted to flee, according to the Fisheries Adjustment Office for Kyushu. It was intercepted and boarded, and the master - identified as Qian Nianli, 47 - was arrested on allegations of violating Japan's Fisheries Sovereignty Act for refusing to allow an inspection within the Japanese EEZ.
Japanese forces have clashed with the Chinese fishing fleet before. In 2010, a Chinese trawler collided with Japan Coast Guard cutters during a hot pursuit in waters near the disputed Senkaku Islands, a frequent flash point off the coast of Taiwan. The fishing boat's captain was detained, angering Beijing and prompting the suspension of several high-level diplomatic events. In the end, the captain and crew were allowed to return to China without criminal charges filed.
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The Chinese fishing fleet is a frequent source of friction with China's neighbors and nations overseas. EEZ incursions involving Chinese vessels are a regular occurrence in some parts of the world - notably waters off Argentina - and China's state-sponsored maritime militia is a constant presence within Philippine waters of the South China Sea. Methods of enforcement vary, depending upon the state of diplomatic relations between the affected nation and China; past deterrent methods have spanned the full range from administrative warnings to boardings to vessel arrests, and (rarely) kinetic engagements for noncooperative vessels.
Diplomatic ties between China and Japan are at an ebb. Beijing is displeased with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stance in favor of a more assertive, well-armed Japanese military and a clearer commitment to the defense of Taiwan; the fishing-vessel detention will likely elicit an unfavorable response from China in the days ahead.
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