BEIJING: The Chinese government is calling on the Philippines to guarantee the safety and rights of the Chinese fishermen it has taken into custody.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei's remarks at a press briefing came after Philippine authorities lodged poaching charges on Wednesday against 12 Chinese fishermen whose vessel ran aground in Tubbataha Reef off the western Philippine province of Palawan late on Monday night, according to Xinhua.
The Chinese government always attaches great importance to the security of its fishermen abroad, while educating and supervising them on their fishing activities, Hong noted.
The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has sent personnel to visit the crewmen, he added. (QNA)
