The salvaging is governed by Chinese laws and involves various elements such as the sea environment and fishery resources, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan.

Two months ago, patrol vessels of the Japanese Maritime Safety Agency chased and fired at an unidentified ship in China's exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea. The Chinese Government has expressed serious concerns about the incident, requesting Japan's respect of China's rights, interests and concerns.

Kong said that according to the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Law of the Sea, the rights of the coastal country should be considered in its exclusive economic zone.

Kong said that China has sent law enforcement boats to the sea area in question.

(China Daily February 27, 2002)