Japan seizes Chinese vessel amid rising tension

International

JAPANESE authorities seized a Chinese fishing vessel in a maritime incident that was feared to fuel tension with Beijing.

A report by BBC stated that the Chinese fishing vessel was seized when it tried to flee when ordered to stop for an inspection.

The seizure was made while the Chinese boat was in Japan's exclusive economic zone off Nagasaki Prefecture in the south-west.

"The vessel's captain was ordered to stop for an inspection by a fisheries inspector, but the vessel failed to comply and fled," the fisheries agency said.

At the time of the seizure, there were 11 people aboard, including the 47-year-old Chinese captain.

The seized vessel was described as a "tiger net fishing boat" with a high capacity.

"We will continue to take resolute action in our enforcement activities to prevent and deter illegal fishing operations by foreign vessels," Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said on Friday.

The incident comes after Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi enraged China in November by suggesting Tokyo would intervene militarily if Beijing sought to take Taiwan by force.(MyTVCebu)