Xinhua News Agency, Beijing (Reporters Wu Mengtong, Ma Zhuoyan) In response to representatives from the United States and Panama condemning China's punitive measures against Panamanian-flagged ships at the 137th session of the International Maritime Organization Council, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on July 13 that port state control and inspection are the main means for countries to conduct safety management of foreign ships arriving at ports. China carries out port state control and inspection of docked ships in accordance with laws and regulations, which is fully in compliance with international conventions.
At the regular press conference that day, a reporter asked: According to reports, at the 137th session of the International Maritime Organization Council, representatives from the United States and Panama condemned China for taking punitive measures against Panamanian-flagged ships for political reasons, and called on the International Maritime Organization to improve the protection mechanism and avoid politicizing maritime trade.What is China’s comment on this?
“Statistics from the Chinese authorities show that since the beginning of this year, Panamanian-flagged ships have had many safety accidents above grade in our waters, making it the flag country with the highest proportion of safety accidents.” Lin Jian said that from January to July this year, the cumulative number of Panamanian-flagged ships arriving at ports accounted for nearly 20% of the number of foreign ships arriving at ports, while the number of ship accidents and deaths and missing persons accounted for about 50% respectively.
"Port State Control and Inspection, as an important measure to ensure the safety of ship navigation and clean water environment, is the main means for countries to carry out safety management of foreign ships arriving at ports. China attaches great importance to water transportation and personal safety, and carries out Port State Control and Inspection of ships calling at Chinese ports in accordance with laws and regulations, which is fully in line with international conventions," Lin Jian said.
