1. The 15th Korea-China meeting on cooperation on fisheries issues took place on December 17 in a virtual format, bringing together officials of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and fisheries-related government agencies of the two countries.

° In the meeting, the two sides assessed the fisheries order in relevant waters, including the East Sea and the Yellow Sea, in the year 2020, reviewed the current situation regarding illegal fishing operations by Chinese fishing vessels in those waters, and discussed ways to eliminate such operations.

° The two sides also discussed ways to step up exchanges between fisheries-related government agencies of Korea and China and to promote bilateral cooperation in rescuing and providing emergency shelter for stranded fishermen.

2. The two sides noted with appreciation that the fisheries order has improved overall this year, which marks the 20th anniversary of the conclusion of the Fisheries Agreement between Korea and China, and that, even amid the COVID-19 situation, the two countries have made concerted efforts to stably maintain the fisheries order, including stationing fisheries protection patrol boats and operating joint patrols.

3. The Korean side suggested ways to prevent illegal fishing operations of Chinese fishing vessels in Korean waters, including near the Northern Limit Lines (NLLs) in the East Sea and the Yellow Sea among others, and asked for the Chinese government’s cooperation.

° The Korean side pointed out that collective illegal fishing operations of unpermitted Chinese fishing boats in Korean waters have yet to be eradicated and stressed that it is imperative for the two countries to work together in drawing up effective measures.

° In particular, the Korean side suggested that crackdowns and guidance be tightened on Chinese fishing boats heading south after illegal fishing in the northern part of the East Sea as well as those fishing illegally in the NLL area and the Provisional Measure Zone in the Yellow Sea.

4. The Chinese side noted that the fisheries order of Chinese fishing vessels has lately been improving gradually without any major fisheries-related accidents and incidents between Korea and China. It went on to explain that the Chinese government will continue to take various active steps to improve the fisheries order, including stationing coast guard vessels at key sea routes to Korea at all times, tightening its own crackdowns on illegal fishing operations, and providing education and guidance to fishermen.

° The Chinese side also asked the relevant Korean authorities to exercise caution so as to prevent any casualties in the course of crackdowns on Chinese fishing boats; and extended appreciation to the Korean government for taking humanitarian measures, including assistance to Chinese fishing boats and fishermen that are stranded or face other emergency situations in Korean waters.

5. The two sides noted with appreciation that they have maintained the momentum of cooperation by holding the 15th meeting on cooperation on fisheries issues even amid the COVID-19 situation and agreed to continue utilizing the meeting, which is organized by the Foreign Ministries of the two countries, as a significant communication channel for discussions on ways to improve the fisheries order and pursue fisheries cooperation between the two countries.

6. The Korean delegation to the meeting was led by Director-General for Northeast Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Choi Hee-deok and comprised of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Korea Coast Guard, the Embassy in China, and the Consulates-General in Shenyang, Qingdao and Dalian. The Chinese delegation was headed by Deputy Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Zhang Yang and composed of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the China Coast Guard, and the Embassy in Korea.