22 Sep 2005

Chinese Embassy in Jakarta concerned after boat shot at off Papua

8:33 am on 22 September 2005

The Chinese Embassy in Jakarta has expressed concern over an Indonesian navy ship's shooting at a Chinese fishing boat allegedly poaching in the Arafura Sea off Papua province.

The Xinhua news agency reports that the shooting killed one and wounded two crew members, with the boat now detained in Indonesia.

Other reports said four Chinese boats were involved.

The embassy in Jakarta has made serious representations to the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Indonesian Navy and expressed regret about the lateness of being informed over the accident.

Xinhua reports the embassy confirms that one Chinese boat was illegally fishing in Indonesian waters as all its documents were overdue.