[ad_1]
The Palau patrol boat intercepted the Chinese fishing boat on the Helen Reef in Palau’s territorial waters and escorted it to the island of Koror, according to the announcement by the Palau Sea Law Enforcement Authority (DMLE).
During the December 14 press conference, DMLE Director Victor Remengesau said: “They have about 225 kg of sea cucumber on board.”
According to Remengesau, the Chinese crew and 19 sailors aboard the patrol boat are going through 14 days of isolation in Palau. Palau is one of the few places in the world where Covid-19 is not available.
Remengesau, the brother of Palau President Tommy Remengesau, said the country has yet to decide whether or not to prosecute the Chinese crew. These crew members are believed to have come from Hainan province in southern China.
“This is an issue we are discussing. They have told us that we don’t want to keep them here any longer, ”Remengesau said.
Long considered a pioneer in marine conservation, Palau bans all foreign fishing boats in its waters.
With a population of around 18,000, Palau is one of Taiwan’s four remaining allies in the Pacific.
In the past, China, which viewed Taiwan as part of a territory awaiting consolidation, had opposed Palau establishing relations with Taiwan.
In 2018, China launched an unofficial campaign to boycott tourism against Palau, according to AFP.
[ad_2]
