China yesterday proposed a joint investigation with the Philippines into the ramming of a Filipino fishing boat by a Chinese fishing vessel earlier this month at the Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea. "To find a proper solution, we suggest a joint investigation at an early date so the two sides can exchange respective initial findings and properly handle the matter through friendly consultations based on mutually-recognized investigation results," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang. Manila has lodged a diplomatic protest for the act of the Chinese fishermen of abandoning the 22 Filipino crewmen after their vessel sank. A Vietnamese vessel later rescued the Filipinos.

China proposes joint probe on Recto Bank incident. (2019, June 1). Malaya Business Insight, pp. B1, B3.