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China fishing ban east of North Korea builds tension between uneasy allies China fishing ban east of North Korea builds tension between uneasy allies
(35 minutes later)
China has banned its trawlers from fishing off the eastern coast of North Korea, due to a dispute over fuel supplies, the latest irritant in ties between the often uneasy allies.China has banned its trawlers from fishing off the eastern coast of North Korea, due to a dispute over fuel supplies, the latest irritant in ties between the often uneasy allies.
North Korea decided last month that Chinese ships operating legally in its waters had to buy fuel from its suppliers rather than making their own arrangements as in the past, the Chinese government said late on Monday.North Korea decided last month that Chinese ships operating legally in its waters had to buy fuel from its suppliers rather than making their own arrangements as in the past, the Chinese government said late on Monday.
"Our fishing boat owners and companies believe this decision by North Korea will affect normal fishing operations and safety, creating risks and dangers," the government said on its main website, citing the agriculture ministry."Our fishing boat owners and companies believe this decision by North Korea will affect normal fishing operations and safety, creating risks and dangers," the government said on its main website, citing the agriculture ministry.
Waters to the east of North Korea are also especially risky due to the "complex, changeable situation on the Korean peninsula" and their proximity to Russia, Japan and South Korea, the government said.Waters to the east of North Korea are also especially risky due to the "complex, changeable situation on the Korean peninsula" and their proximity to Russia, Japan and South Korea, the government said.
"Many of our fishing boats operate in North Korean [waters] and if they are not properly managed or well-organised then diplomatic incidents can easily occur," it said."Many of our fishing boats operate in North Korean [waters] and if they are not properly managed or well-organised then diplomatic incidents can easily occur," it said.
The statement made no mention of Chinese boats that operate near the North's western coast.The statement made no mention of Chinese boats that operate near the North's western coast.
In May, North Korea seized a Chinese fishing boat off its western coast, prompting anger in China. The boat was released after a fortnight, following the intervention of China's foreign ministry.In May, North Korea seized a Chinese fishing boat off its western coast, prompting anger in China. The boat was released after a fortnight, following the intervention of China's foreign ministry.
Tension has been mounting between the two countries even though China is the North's most important economic and political backer.Tension has been mounting between the two countries even though China is the North's most important economic and political backer.
Some Chinese banks have frozen out North Korea's main foreign exchange bank amid frustration in Beijing over the North's continued pushing of its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes in contravention of United Nations sanctions.Some Chinese banks have frozen out North Korea's main foreign exchange bank amid frustration in Beijing over the North's continued pushing of its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes in contravention of United Nations sanctions.
In a further sign of regional tension, Japan has criticised China for trying to resolve territorial conflicts with shows of force that increase the risk of dangerous clashes, and said North Korea appeared to have entered a "new phase" of producing better long-range missiles while improving its nuclear weapons programme.
Tokyo is particularly concerned by China's activities in waters around islands that both countries claim, according to the Ministry of Defence's annual report, which is a yearly snapshot of what Japan perceives to be its major security issues.
For months, ships from both countries have regularly patrolled around the small island group called the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. Though no military clashes have occurred, the cat-and-mouse game has raised fears of escalation between the Asian powers.
The report said Chinese aircraft and surveillance ships affiliated to China's maritime law enforcement agencies have repeatedly intruded into Japanese territorial waters and airspace, and that a Chinese naval ship directed its fire-control radar at a Japanese destroyer in January, a move that could be seen as preparation for an attack.
"China has attempted to change the status quo by force based on its own assertion which is incompatible with the existing order of international law," the report said. "There is a concern over its future direction."
The annual report was the first issued under Shinzo Abe's prime ministership. He took office late last year and has been a strong advocate of bolstering Japan's military and taking a hawkish position toward China.
On North Korea, the report said Pyongyang's third nuclear test in February and its launch of a long-range rocket in December suggest it might be making considerable progress on both fronts.
The report said North Korea appeared to be pursuing research and development to deploy existing ballistic missiles, extending the range of its missiles and converting to solid fuel propulsion, which makes missiles easier to move around and harder to detect and destroy.
"We assess that North Korea's ballistic missile development is considered to have entered a new phase," it said. "In conjunction with its efforts to enhance its ballistic missile capability, the nuclear tests by North Korea pose a significant threat to Japan's security, and they are significantly detrimental to peace and stability in north-east Asia and the international community."
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