Beijing, November 9 (KCNA) -- Hong Lei, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, on Nov. 8 urged Japan to protect the rights of Chinese crewmen.

Recently Japanese media reported that a Chinese fishing boat was seized in the sea off Koto Islands, Nagasaki Prefecture. China is investigating the case, he said.

As it was just an ordinary fishing boat, the Chinese side demands the Japanese side protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese crewmen and handle the case with reason at an early date, he urged.