China slams harassment of ship crew by US Customs
Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin speaks at a press conference in Beijing, on Aug 29, 2023. [Photo/fmprc.gov.cn]
China has made serious demarches to the United States over the interrogation and harassment of the crew members of a Chinese vessel, and urged the US to stop disrupting people-to-people exchanges and trade between the two countries.
The crew of Zhenhua 28, a Hong Kong-registered vessel that belongs to a Shanghai-based company, was interrogated by US law enforcers in Jacksonville, Florida, in July.
US Customs and Border Protection officials reportedly boarded the vessel for an inspection and collected biometric information, including fingerprints, of the crew members, who were asked if they are members of the Communist Party of China, or if they are from the army or the government.
The US officials confiscated electronic devices belonging to some of the crew members.
As a result of this, the vessel's departure from the US had to be postponed, which in turn disrupted the ship's operations and the work and life of its crew members, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday.
"It must be pointed out that in recent years, the US has placed barriers to the entry of Chinese citizens under various pretexts, including unreasonable interference in the entry of Chinese students holding valid visas. In particular, it has often interrogated and harassed Chinese nationals on the grounds of their political beliefs or CPC membership," Wang said.
He added that this is a stark manifestation of ideological bias and Cold War mentality. "We deplore and reject it," he said.
The spokesman urged the US to stop its unjustified interrogation and harassment of Chinese nationals traveling to the US and stop infringing on their lawful rights.
The US should also stop undermining bilateral people-to-people exchanges and trade cooperation under the pretext of national security, and prevent similar incidents from happening again, Wang said.
China will take all necessary measures to safeguard Chinese citizens' lawful rights, he said.
Related articles
Classic Peking Opera films set for screening in Beijing
Artists perform Peking Opera "Farewell My Concubine" to mark the 100th anniversary of Chin2024-04-30David Beckham broke major rule at wife Victoria's star
David Beckham broke a major rule at wife Victoria's 50th birthday bash last weekend which was held a2024-04-30Jennifer Lopez stuns in an all
Jennifer Lopez stunned in an all-white outfit complete with a $432,000 Himalaya crocodile Birkin bag2024-04-30Crystal Palace ensure Premier League safety by beating Newcastle 2
LONDON (AP) — Crystal Palace made certain of Premier League safety after a 2-0 win against Newcastle2024-04-30Classic Peking Opera films set for screening in Beijing
Artists perform Peking Opera "Farewell My Concubine" to mark the 100th anniversary of Chin2024-04-30Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to let Arizona doctors provide abortions in California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Arizona doctors could give their patients abortions in California under a2024-04-30
atest comment