China on Monday expressed condolences to the Filipino fishermen who were in distress in an inadvertent encounter with a Chinese fishing boat in the waters of Liyue Tan (Reed Bank) of the Nansha Islands earlier this month.
"After the incident, China and the Philippines have conducted several communications through multiple levels and multiple channels," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang at a press briefing.
The Chinese side wants to emphasize that this is an inadvertent encounter of fishing boats at sea, and linking it to the friendly feelings of the two peoples or with the relations between the two countries and even politicizing this issue is not appropriate, Lu said.
China will continue to investigate the matter comprehensively and seriously in a highly responsible manner, said the spokesperson, adding that China is also willing to strengthen communications with the Philippines, increase trust and dispel doubts, exchange investigation situations and find out all the details.
"I believe that the two sides can properly handle this matter in the spirit of cooperation and friendship while respecting facts," he said.
Noting China and the Philippines are facing each other across the sea, Lu said the fishermen of the two countries have long lived in friendship and lent support to each other.
China attaches great importance to maritime security and is willing to continue to strengthen cooperation in relevant fields with littoral countries of the South China Sea, he said.
