Chinese News sources in a 13 hour old release state that 37 Chinese fishermen held by Sri Lanka have been released. Reuters in a 20 hour old release indicates that Sri Lanka has denied the claim of release. We believe the Chinese news source has it correct.
According to the source the boats had actually been sold to a business in Sri Lanka but the old Chinese marks had not been removed. The 37 Chinese fishermen found aboard were instructing Sri Lanka natives in the use of the boat's rigging and deck appliances. We give credence to the story out of China because of its more recent release and independent confirmation that Sri Lanka nationals were also aboard and detained.
Another reason we give the Chinese version credence is that yesterday Sri Lanka stated to the media that the boats were arrested 10 to 15 miles off the coast of Sri Lanka. Anything within 12 miles would be territorial waters. Our own occasional hyperbole over Chinese maritime aggression aside, even the dragon hasn't claimed their neighbors territorial sea. The conflict is over EEZ boundaries which run much farther out.
Click on the hyper-link below for the full story:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2012-08/07/content_15648468.htm
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