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David Gray / Reuters
A paramilitary policeman holds up his hand as he stands guard outside the main entrance to the North Korean embassy in central Beijing on Thursday. North Koreans holding three Chinese fishing boats and 29 sailors have demanded payment before they will release them, Chinese media reported on Thursday.
BEIJING – In what appears to be a rare public spat between longtime neighbors and allies, 29 Chinese sailors have been kidnapped in the Yellow Sea by North Koreans, according to Chinese media reports.
Three Chinese fishing ships were operating in waters between North Korea and China on May 8 when they were boarded, 29 crew members taken hostage and the vessels hijacked, the reports said late Wednesday.
The vessels reportedly were then taken to North Korean waters where they have remained since. One fisherman was said to have escaped.
One of the ships’ owners, Sun Caihui, said that the hijackers’ ship was a North Korean naval vessel and that some of the men were wearing uniforms of the Korean People’s Navy, according to a report on Netease, a popular Chinese web portal.
How Sun was able to determine whether the hijackers’ ship was a North Korean military vessel, much less whether the kidnappers were working on behalf of the North Korean government or were pirates working independently, remains unclear.
Immediately after the incident, the hijackers allegedly asked one of the Chinese captains to call Sun to tell him that the hijackers were demanding 1.2 million yuan ($190,000) in ransom for the three ships captured. Sun said he has not been in contact with his crew since that call, but new reports late Thursday suggested that the kidnappers are now seeking around 900,000 yuan ($140,000) for their release.
North Korea’s government has not made any public comment on the case. Likewise, China’s government would not publicly confirm any details about the reported incident.
China is North Korea’s key international ally, with Beijing having been Pyongyang’s main supplier of food aid and oil despite strict international sanctions over the reclusive country’s nuclear ambitions and rocket launches.
"China is maintaining close contact with North Korea through the relevant channels and we hope this problem will be appropriately solved as soon as possible," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a daily briefing.
"We have also stated to North Korea that it should ensure the legitimate rights of Chinese ship personnel."
The owner of another ship involved, named Zhang Dechang, said that during a talk with his ship’s captain on May 9, he was assured that no direct threats had been made against the sailors themselves. However, in an article Thursday in the Chinese newspaper Global Times Zhang said he had received a call from the hijackers on Tuesday threatening to “dispose” of the ships and the fishermen if the ransom was not paid by May 17.
Conditions on the boats are said to be cramped and the fishermen reportedly have not been well looked after. Both Zhang and Sun said their ship captains have told him that they don’t have much to eat and that they’ve had little rest.
Sun said the incident has brought feelings of anger and helplessness. “Relatives of the sailors – parents, children, wives – came to us for their men, weeping,” he said, “We could do nothing.”
Anger among Chinese
The incident has raised the ire of China’s netizens, who have wondered why it has taken so long for news of the alleged hijacking to be released and why Beijing has reacted so gently on this matter.
On China’s Twitter-like service, Weibo, the issue was the top trending topic Thursday. “Has North Korea forgotten how China aided North Korea in the Korean War?” wrote one user. “Why are our fishermen always being arrested by foreigners, our waters always occupied by other countries? Don’t bully us, OK?”
Others Weibo users were more belligerent. “If they dare to execute hostages, we should immediately destroy them!” declared another.
In general, there appears to be a growing public frustration in China over the government’s seeming desire to not react to the incidents aggressively, perhaps best summed up by one Weibo user who wrote: “I wish the Chinese government could be stronger and stop chanting slogans like ‘harmony’ and ‘peace.’”
NBC News’ Horace Lu contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
China should take immediatel action and set the pace for the rest of the world.
Agreed. We have seen what happens when the demands of pirates are met time and time again. ie. Somalia and the West Coast of Africa. Military action is required.
Military action is very expensive.
'Harmony & Peace'. is much cheaper.
I hope the fishermen are returned to their families soon.
The new North Korean "Dictator" either has no control of his military or is just plain stupid. Either one shows a lack of intelligence and will be bad when push comes to shove on the Nuke issues..........
It's both. There is no either/or.
Having now lived in China for the last 10 years it is obvious to me that much of what is seen on Chinese sites often can be far from reality in life. Personally I do not see the NK government behind this hijacking and kidnapping episode, if it is even actual. I can more easily see a few NK citizens taking matters into their own hands in hopes of gaining instant wealth ($140,000 will go a long ways in NK). NK is so very dependent upon China and NK just does not seem that ignorant about their one true ally. Right now there is no government confirmation by either side, which does not seem practical in a hijacking and kidnapping if sponsored by the state. Don't jump to conclusions without "known facts". Regardless this situation should be strictly hands off for the USA.
PRC set the pace for the rest of the world years ago already ? They paid.
What a bunch of idiots. Let's move on with real interesting news, please.
It's apparent that Junior Un never had control of his military. His daddy had control, but this junior jerk off hasn't. In fact junior might better run to China and declare political asylum. Now THERE'S a twist!
The Chinese haven't yanked N.Korea's chain lately and it's long overdue. If the Chinese are as astute as they pretend to be, they should have invited N.K. military generals and admirals to a fake summit after the former "Glorious Leader" kicked the bucket for tea and fortune cookies. Then plug North Korean military leaders in the head and 'detain' junior jerk off for a near bloodless coup. China would absorb the Plutonian Society into China while gaining political respect. International aid would follow rapidly and would reduce tensions in the region.
The very last thing China needs is nuclear armed neighbor rattling sabres and marking their territory like a pack of rabid dogs.
This make the news...
But the South China/East Philippine Sea Military stand-off that has been occurring for 6+weeks, receives little mention. By the Chinese OWNED Western media toilets...
The Philippines received a report that eight Chinese ships were allegedly involved in "illegal fishing" in the shoal. In response, the Philippine navy sent a warship to investigate. Filipino naval officials said the warship was sent only because it happened to be the vessel closest to the shoal at the time. China, however, took this as an aggressive act, so it sent its own surveillance ships to intervene in the Philippine sailors’ attempt to detain the suspected illegal fishermen.
China maintains there was no 'illegal' fishing taking place, since Chinese fishermen are within their rights to fish in "Chinese waters". Scarborough Shoal, or "Huangyan Island", as the Chinese call it, "inherently" belongs to China, they say.
For days, the brewing maritime tension was kept under wraps. The chief of the Philippine navy was at a press conference with foreign media while this was first unfolding - and managed not to say anything about it, although he clearly looked preoccupied and left early. But, eventually, the navy released photos of the protected marine life it claims to have found as "catch" on those Chinese boats. This came alongside the secretary of foreign affairs issuing strong statements condemning China’s "bullying" behaviour. At one point, the foreign secretary even implied China could not be trusted, after a meeting with the Chinese ambassador to Manila failed to bring about the expected results.
The Philippines has invited China to take the matter to international arbitration, but China has declined, saying there was no need for mediation over something that is clearly "incontestable". Huangyan Island belongs to China. End of story. China has also pointed out it was not "obliged" to participate in international adjudication - as, back in 2006, it made its position clear in a written statement to the UN secretary general: despite being an UNCLOS signatory, China would not submit to arbitration over "maritime delimitation, territory and military activities".
For the latest news about this see - http://interceder.net/latest_news/china-philippines-spratly
Where's Waldo,
China would rather occupy and invade neighboring countries, without nuclear weapons...
Though they do have a on-going border dispute with India, who has 25+nuclear missile subs...
Currently - China is ACTIVELY disputing border areas containing resources with; Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Tibet, Vietnam, etc, etc...
The ASEAN countries are ACTIVELY pursuing claims of environmental damage cause by the dams China has built on the Mekong River...
The ones that turn their swords into plows, usually end up plowing for the ones who didnt.
Its about time someone stands up to China, although I wouldnt be shocked in the least if this was planned to give NK new dear leader, some more influence among his generals..
Its clearly Philippines, the Chinese realize now is the time to seize more space, while the western powers are weak.. The US should send a fleet to show the Chinese we wont allow, them to encroach upon our close allies..
-Sam,
The USA is currently holding Joint Military Exercises with the Philippines...
The USS North Carolina (SSN-777) docked at Subic Bay yesterday. It was designed to attack land and sea targets with cruise missiles and torpedoes, or sail into shallow waters to monitor enemy transmissions or drop off SEAL teams.
Sec of State Hillary Clinton has stated that the USA will support the Philippines and our joint treaty...
The ASEAN countries/Thailand have offered to mediate between China & the Philippines...
the son is dumber than his stupid father....stupidity and ignorance must run in the family or is it all north koreans who put up with these jackasses.....reminds me of a great NOFX song, "Idiot Son Of An As*hole"
Funny story --On China's Twitter-like service, Weibo, the issue was the top trending topic Thursday. "Has North Korea forgotten how China aided North Korea in the Korean War?" Most of the people during that time are dead from old age--Answer yes totally forgot....
Why are our fishermen always being arrested by foreigners, our waters always occupied by other countries? Maybe China forgot to tell North Korea that China own the entire ocean from ancient times...
Don't bully us, OK?" Yes-- Something China would never do to any country..
Isn't payback just a bitch..
900,000 Yuan Beijing officials funnel off more than this yearly on entertainment..
Wow!! Just wow!! China may be the best ally that North Korea has and they want to show their muscle against them. Talk about dumb and dumber.
China should just tell the world that they can do anything they wish with N K and they will remain neutral.
What's a "Chinese netizen"?
Why should we defend "allies" who demand huge subsidies to use bases in their countries and tell us to leave if we don't pay (Philippines)?
Why have ignorant Filipinos taking American call center jobs? Those Filipinos screw up everything they touch and Americans have to fix it. How does that save money Mr. huge American company CEO/CFO?
rogerrabbit-3948447.... because you're an illiterate bunny, who is overpaid, and can't properly do a job that a high school kid can easily handle. Go find yourself another career that does not involve using a brain.
Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!
North Korea is too dumb to respect the only country in the world dumb enough to help them. Big surprise, coming from the only country in the world governed by the Three Stooges system of government. Now that Shemp has taken over from Larry, North Korea should be an even more nightmarish hellhole to live in. Ah, for the good old days when our Great Leader Moe was in charge...wait a sec, wasn't Moe in China? Or was that Mao? Well, whatever.
The real question here should be: why is China helping North Korea in the first place? Just because they opened up trade and gave their subjects a little economic freedom, we often tend to forget that China is still ruled by the same old Stalinist murderers that gave us the Cultural Revolution and Tiananmen Square. They still go into Tibet and shoot Budddhist monks for praying in public. They still threaten to invade Tiawan every time somebody says it's a real country, which it has been for longer than most of us have been alive (since 1949).
The real travesty here is not that one lame dictatorship is having trouble with their neighbor, an even more lame dictatorship. What we should be shocked about, every single day, is that we and much of the free world treat China the same way we treat countries with real, legitimate governments. On the brighter side, it is funny to see the communist dinosaurs in China be embarassed by not even being able to control their pet in North Korea. Squeal, piggie!!! Cue up the banjo music. They say Lil' Kim liked movies, I wonder how his son the Un-Cola will enjoy starring in Deliverance?
General TWINKEY just crossed the line !!!
Bite the hand that feeds you is never a good idea !!!! I feel very strongly that China will do a little more than scold His hineASS Twinkey . True we here will never know just what was done behind the Scenes . But the best guess is little fat boy got his a$$ reamed but good .
bob
It's about time "someone" focuses on North Korea who is a real risk than Iran who is a potential risk with alleged WMD. The NK missile test that was a flop this time, may not be a test or a flop the 2nd time. The IAEA wants to inspect the hell out of this one and that one except for North Korea and Israel. What's fair for the goose is fair for the gander and all should be inspected equally. Why some nations have and others don't or can't is suspect. Many of our past leaders go down in history with shaking hands and kissing up to dictators who are now either dead or fallen from grace. More emphasis needs to be put on the North Koreans. How many of our Korean War Veterans died to win a war that didn't stop the craziness.
Mike, if the IAEA wants to inspect the hell out of N.Koea they gonna have to travel up the OLD DIRT ROAD
Mike,
As much as I wish it were so, our heroes of Korea did not win that war - they only won a truce. They truly were heroes, but our government did not have the courage to follow through, just as in Vietnam.
SingBiker, You sound as if the politicians were the ones in the jungles and tunnels losing their lives. I believe that the children of all the politicians (of age of course) should be the first in any group to go to war for us. That way they would be sure to think about whether we NEED to be there, and for the RIGHT reasons, rather than for personal financial gain. I do have to admit that during the last Bush admin I had thought if the politicians would just steal our money outright it would be cheaper on us than using a war to pilfer it, but the Obama admin and the S&L scandal showed me how wrong I was.
Perhaps China should turn South Korea into an island nation? That would solve the problem of North Korea.
This could be a prelude by the Chinese Government, to annex the North Korean Territory.
KeyOrion, that would make as much sense and by about as desirable to them as annexing Mexico would to US or U.S.
That's a poor analogy, because Mexico is not entirely worthless.
Well that's what happened when you trying to snick in into your neighbor's back yard. China wont do anything to harm their relations with NK. In fact they might be scared to loose NK as an ally.
The only ally, bought with good money and food.
China seems to have a strange ally. I doubt that much will happen.
I am sure PRC will just pay up with a good tip and bonus for services rendered.
Maybe it happens all the time in the Far East but this just seems a little crazy to me. The entire world hates you and would have little difficulty in creating a regime change, except for the fact that China is your neighbor and ally. And then you take some of their citizens hostage?
Could it be a mistaken identity? Could they have originally thought they were Japanese? Were the Fishermen in restricted waters and therefore fair game? Is this a rogue N Korean ship acting on their own? Almost seems like it is out of a movie where a CIA operation is just trying to break down the relationship between the Chinese and the Koreans. Although I have always felt that the Chinese would eventually become tired of the games they play in NK and will eventually stop supporting them.
I am cracked up by this comment. “Why are our fishermen always being arrested by foreigners, our waters always occupied by other countries? Don’t bully us, OK?” You have to envision the guy saying it with a real thick Chinese accent. Although I have to feel for the Chinese fishermen.
"A CIA operation trying to break down the relationship between Chinese and Koreans?" Rolls eyes.............Luckily the CIA is allowed to use the North Korean port to hold the ships hostage.
Come on people. You really think this is a NK backed deal for only the sum of $140K? If it is a real story at all, it HAS to be rouge NK military or even more likely a scam set up by the crews of the fishing boats to extort money from the boat owner, which is by the ransom amount demanded, the most likely answer. It kinda reminds me of Dr. Evil asking $1 million from the people of the world to not blow the Earth up.
Since America would be foolish to do so, I hope China bitchslaps that lil punka$$ country.
In our dreams Mac Deezy.
I'm very interested to see what China will do. Odds are they won't lift a finger. Just look at the U.S. and Mexico. The ongoing drug cartel wars down there have a number of documented abductions of American citizens and theft of private property, including weapons, from the U.S., yet our gov't hasn't engaged in much more than finger-wagging.
That's a bunk comparison
Jumpmaster is right, it isn't a valid comparison. There's no indication that the Mexican government is behind the abductions.
OK, then let me spell it out for you:
1. The cartels are behind the abductions; anyone with half a brain should know that. The fact that I even have to clarify that for anyone is flabbergasting.
2. There is not yet any solid evidence that the NK government is responsible for this abduction, only supposition and unconfirmed reports.
3. That said, I was postulating from the standpoint that it was perpetrated by private NK citizens. (I guess I could have clarified that, but then that should have been obvious, too, with the application of a little critical thinking as opposed to the typical knee-jerk "that guy's stupid" reaction of which so many around here are guilty).
4. The bottom line is that my example regarding how a government of one country has reacted to criminal action perpetrated by the private citizens of a neighboring country is valid, so neener-neener.
5. Just for bonus points, let's do another comparison assuming that the NK government is responsible for this crime. In this case, I refer you to NK and Japan. NK actively abducted Japanese citizens and admitted to it only after Japan lodged a lot of complaints and imposed trade sanctions. Will the Chinese do that as well?
Regardless, I'm still very interested to see what China will do. I doubt it'll amount to much -- certainly not the armed conflict the hawks on this site are hoping for -- and if I'm wrong about that, I'll be the first to admit it once I get over my initial amazement.
PS: If you disagree with me, that's fine, but anyone can sit back in the peanut gallery and criticize. How about contributing to the discussion? Got some ideas of your own on this? Don't be chicken; get 'em out there. Maybe we'll all learn something.
Tony_Baloney,
There's a major flaw to your thinking that the NK government, in some capacity, isn't behind this.
The flaw in your thinking is that NK isn't like other places in the world. The people are so poor, they can't buy food. They're also brain washed. They can't do a thing without government approval. If they do something the government says to do, but not to the NK governments liking.... they're in trouble. People were sent to prison when they didn't show enough mourning during the last jerkoff leader's death. Plus, the Chinese fisherman that escaped said it was a naval vessel.
Being that N Koreans can't feed themselves, how do you expect a bunch of N Korean pirates to obtain a naval vessel? And even if this naval vessel was stolen by some N koreans to use as a pirate ship, do you think the NK navy doesn't realize they're missing a ship? Man, if these are just some foolish NK people that stole a naval vessel, they must be crazy! NK operates the worlds largest concentration camps with a 3 generation rule. If you commit a crime, not only do you get sent, but your family does too. Not just your immediate family, but family that hasn't even been born yet. They enslave you, your kids and your grandkids! Don't believe me? Just google escape from NK concentration camp. One guy has been known to have escaped and recently was in the UK giving a speech to the UK parliament.
The guys story is sickening. He was born in a NK concentration camp because during the Korean war, his father's brother had gone to the South. Nothing his dad, mother or he had done. He also later realized that his mother and bother were executed because he had told a guard that they were thinking of escaping. He said he never had thought, until he made it out, that that was the reason for their execution.
BTW, the only reason he escaped was because of food. He had heard stories about different types of food from a fellow prisoner, and they decided to escape. The other guy never made it... He got electrocuted. Oh... this guy that did escape, while he was a prisoner, the NK guards had cut off one of his fingers and also hung him up with a hook through his stomach. I can't remember why, but the story was very very saddening.
Nothing will happen. China will not do anything. The fishermen and there property will be all sent back to China.
North Korea: balls the size of Texas or a head full of rocks? I'll go with the later. I'll agree with Raymond on this one, China will do nothing.
Anyone who wondered if the new "Great leader", was more sane than the previous has been answered.
Yes, bite the hand that feeds you, please! Finally let everyone on earth get tired of your B.S. and finalize your total isolation from the rest of the world. It will be tragic to see so many people starve to death; who knows? Maybe the North Koreans will attempt military action as a last desperate act to survive? Speculation is fun.
China will not do anything! If they did, it would be admitting that North Korea was/is being run by a lunatic who cares nothing for the people of North Korea (kinda like the leaders of China?).
Actually, even though China is the only so-called friend N.K. has, in N.K., the government actually teaches their citizens to hate China.
Their first hate is of course, us, the U.S.A., their second hate is Japan, and the third one is China. They hate China for bullying them for some thousands of years (and that is the same with S.K.) and hate China for moving away from the 'correct form of Communism'......
But either way... This Kim Jun un or whatever, N.K. new leader, seems to have no idea what he is doing. His dad and Grandpa would definitely slap him in the face if they can come back.......
Dreamery: Why would his dad slap him? Several years ago there was a story about a train from China with food aid which was kept by North Korea claiming the train was also a gift. Like father like son?
Koreans, both north and south, have deep rooted hatred for China for repeated invasions, occupations, humiliation and murders through out 2000 years history.
lacompa cida:
Yah...that's what I'm talking about!
Larry-267607:
Well...never heard of that story...I just thought that since Both Kim sungil and Kim jongil tried to maintain a great relationship wth China.... it is stupid for Kin jun on to no do so. The previous two Kims tried hard to keep their last friend, but this young Kim is destroying it...
I mean, even if someone says that this is not a N.K. government action, but since N.K. gov keeps absolute control over its citizens, the gov should really take responsibility of this situation
Avast, ye scurvey sea dogs!
Seems like an unlikely scenario doesn't it Toasty? Of course NK took ships from a superpower in the past and got away with it. I guess they feel they can do it again with no repercussions. First time I've seen the term "netizen". I had to look it up thinking it was a typo. Will be interesting to see how China deals with them.
That's actually why I'm reluctant to assume it was NK. I could totally see them pulling this on a South Korean vessel, but China is the only foreign country that the DPRK doesn't constantly condemn. That being said, China has been getting a little loose with their navy of late, but mostly in the South China Sea. It will be interesting to see the details emerge.
I like how if the issue is regarding North Korea then MSNBC would portray it to be as if China is being weak, passive, chanting peace and harmony. But if it is any other issue (or non-issue) it would be China is building up its military , they are being aggressive (Spratly Islands) and they bullying their Asian neighbors. So which one is it MSNBC? Is China a bully or are they passive? So far they haven't fired a single shot to anyone you accused them of being aggressive to and haven't backed down against anyone you accused them of being weak to. Stop the China hate please.......
Is it possible to have a neutral un-biased news reporting?
South Korea has lost a couple of policemen to PRC thug dressed up as fishermen just in last 12 months. Of course, these policemen were not Americans.
NK has been insane since 1945
A truly trustworthy ally, one you should commit yourself to self-destruction to support.
North Korea is taking after Somalian pirates and they're alienating the only ally they have in the process.
It is about time the Chinese became involved in reeling in the 'loose cannon' goons in North Korea. Since China has been supplying NK with arms, ammunition and nuclear expertise, it is good that the NK navy has seen fit to hijack Chinese vessels instead of simply tormenting the South Koreans or the US. China should just open a big can of Whoop Ass and show Kim Jong Fat how things work when you poke the wrong bear.
Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. Are we sure these reports are correct? I mean, even for North Koreans this is pretty dumb.
China has little control of N Korea same way as US has little control of israel.
N Korea's kidnapping of Chinese fishermen is no different to israel attacked USS Liberty.
A case of biting the hands that feed you.
Hah! China, that is what we call blowback. There will be more of this until you come to your senses and abandon these feudal gangsters.
Since China probably won't heed the warning signs, just like the US once didn't in places like the Shah's Iran or per-Castro Cuba, they should probably expect to lose a city or two, before this is over... Nobosy ever listens.....
lol , perhaps nobody listens because what you say makes little sense .