China intensifies efforts to search for missing sailors from ROK ship

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said on Tuesday China has intensified its efforts to search for missing sailors from a ship of the Republic of Korea (ROK) which sank off the coast of Shandong Province on Saturday.

"China will properly settle relevant issues concerning the tragedy in accordance with international pacts and laws, and in responsible and humanitarian spirit," Jiang told a regular press briefing.

"As long as there is one percent hope for the survival of the missing sailors, China will exert one hundred percent efforts for the rescue work," she said.

The ROK ship "Golden Rose" sank off the coast near Yantai City, after it collided with the Saint Vincent-registered "Jinsheng", a container ship operated by Shandong Lufeng Shipping Company Ltd. The collision occurred around 3:00 a.m. on Saturday.

After the mishap happened, the Chinese government demanded relevant departments to go all out to rescue the missing sailors, Jiang said.

Chinese Ministry of Communications has dispatched three search and rescue ships, two helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft to join the search for the sailors. More than 100 ships and aircraft from eastern Shandong Province in east China and Liaoning Province in the northeast have been involved in the rescue operation.

China and ROK have kept close coordination over the issue, according to Jiang. China conveyed sympathy and condolences to the relatives of the missing sailors, and made well-conceived arrangements for their China trip.

Investigation into the accident is still under way.

Jiang said China will inform the ROK side about the investigation results.

Source: Xinhua