Japan approves oil drilling, China protests
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-14 17:11

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao expressed "serious concern" over the move.

"If Japan deliberately authorizes private enterprises the right to drill, this will constitute a serious infringement of China's sovereignty and will complicate the East China Sea situation," Liu told a press briefing.

"We strongly advise Japan not to take any actions that are unfavorable for the stability of the East China Sea and would damage China-Japan's overall relations," he added.

Teikoku Oil said the actual drilling could take more time, as it looks into safety concerns about working on the sea at the center of the international dispute.

"We would like to conduct test-drilling in the future," the Tokyo-based company said in a statement.

"However, there are many issues regarding the water area such as safety so we want to make a decision on when actual work will take place after consulting with the government agencies concerned," it said.

Japan and China have held a series of high-level meetings to address their growing disputes but they have reached little agreement on the gas fields other than to keep talking.

Page:

1

2

3

Close

Special police detachment established in Xi'an Panda cubs doing well in Wolong Suspect arrested in Taiwan

Today's Top News     Top China News
China to launch manned spacecraft in October         PLA on course to cut 200,000 personnel         Japan approves oil drilling, China protests         Cross-Straits exchanges widen with business         EU, China pledge to strive for partnership         China's forex reserves increase to US$711bn	No foreign controlling stakes in steel firms       China-made telescopes race to space       'No trouble brewing,' beer industry insists       HK investors cautious on mainland homes       Law in pipeline to ban money laundering       Overseas students test their Chinese abilities