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Russia's attitude on ship incident 'unacceptable'

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-20 21:28

A Chinese Foreign Ministry official on Friday said that Russia's attitude on the sinking of a Chinese cargo ship in Russian waters is unacceptable.

Zhang Xiyun, director-general of the Department of European-Central Asian Affairs of the ministry, lodged representations Friday afternoon to Russian Minister Counselor to China Morgulov Igor in regards to the incident.

Zhang said that the attitude of the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed on Friday over the incident is "hard to understand and unacceptable" for China.

The cargo ship "New Star" is seen near the Russian far eastern port of Nakhodka in this February 14, 2009 picture taken by Russia's border patrol. [Agencies]

Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Li Hui Thursday summoned Russian ambassador urging Russian authorities to complete investigations into the sinking of a Chinese cargo ship as soon as possible and try its best to search for the missing crew members.

The Chinese cargo ship "New Star," bearing a Sierra Leone flag, sank off the waters near Russia's far-eastern port of Vladivostok on Sunday.

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Besides, the Chinese Consul General in Khabarovsk, Sun Lijie, traveled to Russia's far-eastern port of Nakhodka to discuss the incident with local authorities.

He urged the Russian side to treat the rescued Chinese sailors properly and make all efforts to search for the missing crew members. He also asked that the Chinese side be informed as soon as possible about the cause of the accident after a serious probe is carried out.

China attaches importance to the incident and the Foreign Ministry, as well as the Chinese embassy and consulates in Russia, are discussing the issue with the Russian side, he noted.

The Consulate General in Khabarovsk, which is nearest to Nakhodka, will try its best to help the rescued sailors, Sun said.

The rescued Chinese sailors said they are in good health and expressed appreciation of the assistance received from their homeland.