Russian coastguards have seized a Chinese fishing boat and detained crews after opening fire on the vessel on July 16. It has been confirmed that no one on board has died though one Chinese is missing.
Illegal cross-border fishing has long been a problem confronted with many countries like China, Japan and Russia. Different countries may take different actions to protect their rights and interests. Russia is more likely to take direct actions while China, often only issues verbal warning.
In fact, this is not the first time that Russia has fired at Chinese civilian boats since 2009. In these cases, Russia’s reactions to Chinese fishermen are violent. But we should recognize that this incident is just an isolated case instead of a political incident.
The Chinese vessel entered Russia’s exclusive economic zone, which is a sea zone where a state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources. China should understand Russia’s need to defend its rights but also China should express strong dissatisfaction about the attack.
One fact is that this incident was not intentionally directed at China. Some foreign media misinterpreted this incident without acquainting themselves with this. There are still some others using the incident to stir up tensions between China and Russia.
Friendship between China and Russia is determined by the overall strategic situation instead of some individual incidents.
There is strategic cooperation on major international and regional issues between China and Russia, especially on issues of international security, including opposition to efforts at the UN Security Council to enact tougher measures against Syria.
China views Russia as the most important strategic partner. We should avoid burning our house to rid it of a mouse.
However, problems do exist between the two nations.
People’s Daily Online