China has approved Japan's request to salvage a sunken boat in the East China Sea, Liu Jianchao, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday at a regular press conference held in Beijing.

Liu said since the beginning of June, Japan had requested China's permission to salvage the boat and the two sides had been in negotiations.

Japan acknowledged that China had sovereignty and administrative jurisdiction of the exclusive economic zone and had made explanations and commitments to China on issues of great concern. In this way, China decided to approve Japan's request in accordance with the Chinese law on marine transportation security, law on marine environmental protection and other related laws.

China will monitor the procedure of the salvage under the international law and other domestic rules and laws, said Liu.

The Japanese side made several commitments, said Liu, adding that Japan had promised to cooperate with Chinese monitoring boats during the process and to take measures to ensure that the salvage operation would not cause pollution.

Japan would inform China of the salvage process and investigation results. After the operation, all Japanese boats would withdraw from the area.

The Japanese side would also make a serious study and give a serious reply as early as possible to China in respect of compensations to the Chinese side, said the spokesman.

(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2002)