Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In response to a media inquiry regarding the Chinese Coast Guard's "block and intimidation" of a South Korean research vessel attempting to examine the steel structures set up by China in the "Provisional Measures Zone" in the Yellow Sea, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated, "I'm not familiar with the specific situation you mentioned. However, I can tell you that China and South Korea have overlapping maritime rights and interest claims, and both sides are advancing maritime delimitation negotiations." Based on the China-South Korea fisheries agreement, both sides are actively cooperating within the Provisional Measures Zone, Mao said.

Regarding the maritime differences between the two sides, Mao noted that China and South Korea have maintained a good level of communication through a dialogue and cooperation mechanism, and communication channels between maritime law enforcement departments remain unimpeded. 

"Currently, the situation in the Yellow Sea is stable," she added.

Global Times