China to Work with Japan to Fight Coral Poaching

Beijing, Nov. 5 (Jiji Press)--China hopes to work with Japan in the fight against Chinese fishery ships that poach coral in waters around islets in Japan's Ogasawara chain in the Pacific, a Chinese spokesman said Wednesday. Beijing hopes that the problem will be addressed through appropriate cooperation between Chinese and Japanese law-enforcement authorities, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a press conference. China is consistent in its clear opposition to illegal collection of red coral, Hong said, adding that Chinese authorities clamp down on coral poachers and give them appropriate education and instructions. END