Chinese Embassy ready to assist to PCG

Chinese Embassy describes the sea mishap “a tragic incident”

MANILA – The Chinese Embassy expressed sadness at the collision of a Philippine fishing boat with a Hong Kong-flagged cargo vessel at about midnight Saturday.

“This is a tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the missing crew members and passengers,” the statement said. The Embassy added they hope the crew members and passengers could be rescued at the soonest time.

They said they took note of Philippine government agencies have begun investigation on the incident.

“We are ready to render any assistance,” the Embassy statement added. The priority at this time, should be given to the rescue of the missing crew and passengers.

They appealed to parties to refrain from “politicizing the issue and seeking narrow interests from such humanitarian tragedy.”

They took note of some Philippine media accounts on the fishing vessels collision last June 10,2019 in the South China Sea.

“China has been working closely to solve the case. The concerned Chinese fishing association already offered a compensation proposal to the Philippine side and has been waiting for formal feedback from the latter,” the same statement said. They expressed hope that in the spirit of cooperation and friendship, “we believe the incident will be solved in a proper manner.” (Melo M. Acuña)

Photos of the Vienna Wood, the cargo ship that collided with a Philippine fishing boat at about midnight Saturday. (PCG Photos)