In close communication

BEFORE THE REAL STORY OF THE RECENT CLASH between Chinese fishermen and coast guards of the Republic of Korea (ROK) can be uncovered, China's response to the incident has been appropriate.

The Foreign Ministry on Tuesday expressed its regret over the incident, in which a ROK coast guard was allegedly killed by the Chinese fishermen, and has pledged active cooperation with the ROK in conducting a thorough investigation.

"The Chinese side regrets that the recent incident caused the death of an ROK coast guard officer, which is an unfortunate event," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told reporters in Beijing.