China investigates trawler incident

China investigates trawler incident

BEIJING (AFP): China said yesterday that it was investigating a recent incident in which Malaysian navy patrol boats reportedly opened fire on an armed Chinese trawler that ignored warnings to stop in Malaysian waters.

"The relevant department of China is investigating the specifics of this incident," said a foreign ministry spokeswoman.

Malaysian police said on Monday that four of the 16 crew aboard the Swee Yee trawler were "slightly injured" during a two- hour chase drama off Malaysia's southern Sarawak state last Thursday.

A local police official said five AK-47 rifles, a machine gun and some ammunition were found aboard the trawler, which had been licensed by the Chinese government to carry arms for protection against pirates.

Malaysian navy patrol boats which chased the trawler issued repeated warnings before opening fire, the official said. The crew members are now being detained at a Sarawak police lock-up and are expected to be charged in court within two weeks, he said.