MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

China rejects Chilean decision to slash permits for local port access

Chinese fishing authorities consider that the Chilean government's unilateral decision to restrict the access of Chinese fishing vessels to the South American country's ports will damage the efforts taken by both parties and will hinder future cooperation, said a trading advisor in China's Embassy to Santiago, Chen Yuming

The Chinese diplomat made this statement after the Chilean government's announcement that it would reduce from five to three the number of authorisations for the Chinese flagged vessels entering the national ports.

Until April 2005, 11 Chinese vessels targeting jack mackerel in the high seas were cleared to enter the local ports.

In May of the same year, Chilean authorities decided to cut permits to five, and after a few months, to three.

According to Yuming, the Chinese vessels operate in the Pacific ocean in compliance with international and Chilean standards. Moreover, he stated that his government has made several consultations to the Chilean party "in a friendly, sincere, and pragmatic way."

Regarding the legal argument put forward by Chile, Yuming said that, according to international law, "the access requirements for foreign vessels to the Chilean ports should be limited to the consideration of the need of safety and that the ports have to offer conditions for the foreign vessels to be able to avoid dangers," reports the daily La Tercera.

He also sustained that access of Chinese vessels allows Chilean companies in charge of maintenance and repairs to generate annual earnings of around USD 3 million.

Finally, Yuming said that the information provided by his country's scientists reported there are several elements affecting the maritime resources levels, among which there are environmental factors such as the El Niño phenomenon.

In this respect, he also referred to the divergent opinions between both parties and explained "the Chinese party does not agree with establishing a relationship between the access of the Chinese vessels and the deep seas fish conservation issue." (FIS)