Sun made the remark while answering questions from the press for comment on the ROK's apology to the Chinese Government after the dumping of the corpses of 25 Chinese stowaways into the sea.

Sun said that according to information from the ROK police, 25 Chinese citizens, stowaways en route to the ROK, were stifled to death in the freezing hold of a fishing boat and their bodies dumped into the sea. The remaining 35 stowaways are alive and in the custody of the ROK police.

The captain, an ROK citizen, and other suspects have been detained.

The spokesman stressed the Chinese Government is paying close attention to the case. The Foreign Ministry promptly contacted the ROK side through diplomatic channels, asking for an immediate and thorough investigation into the case, the identities of the people concerned and timely information about the progress.

The Chinese Embassy in the ROK has sent staff to the scene for further information and to see the survivors.

He said this is an illegal immigration case organized by transnational criminals. The Chinese Government expressed strong indignation and condemnation over the criminals' inhuman behavior, and expressed regret for the dead and sent deep condolences to their families.

The Chinese Government has always opposed illegal immigration, taking strong actions against all types of illegal immigration activities and co-operating actively with related countries and international organizations, Sun said.

China demands the ROK work actively to carry out a thorough investigation into the case, severely punish the perpetrators and properly handle the remaining problems of the incident.

(China Daily 10/11/2001)