Coast guard actions 'worrisome'

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China on Wednesday urged coast guards from the Republic of Korea to cease using violence when enforcing the law, following the death of a Chinese fisherman who was shot by an ROK coast guard during a raid.

Experts and media from both sides said the two governments should solve the fishing disputes between China and the ROK as soon as possible.

The ROK should take effective measures to stop violence in law enforcement and make sure such incidents do not happen again, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters at a regular news conference on Wednesday.

The department of consular affairs of the ministry, the Chinese embassy in Seoul and the consulate-general in Gwangju, Teng Anjun, immediately lodged solemn representations to the ROK, Hong said.

Teng visited the fishermen, who were held in a port in ROK's Mokpo, according to China Central Television.

"The Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese embassy in Seoul will closely monitor the investigation process and urge the ROK to thoroughly investigate the matter so as to protect the safety, lives and legal rights of Chinese fishermen," he said.

Chinese fisherman Zhang, 44, was shot with a rubber bullet on Tuesday by a ROK coast guard who was trying to arrest him during a raid.

Zhang suffered an injury to his chest and was transported to a nearby hospital by helicopter. He later died from his injuries.

Rubber bullets are rubber or rubber-coated projectiles that can be fired from either standard firearms or dedicated riot guns.

They are intended to be a non-lethal alternative to metal projectiles, but a report from the United Kingdom has shown that rubber bullets can also cause permanent disabilities, deformities or even death.

According to the Yonhap, the coast guard seized two Chinese ships with sailors onboard, as the ROK suspected them of conducting "illegal fishing" in the disputed Exclusive Economic Zone.

About the broadcaster:

Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.