THE Chinese Embassy in Manila has disowned the so-called “Chinese dredging ship MV Zhonhai 68,” adding that their government does not have any record of its registration.
In a statement, embassy officials said that their initial investigation on the identity of MV Zhonhai 68 showed that the ship is not even registered in China — and “not a Chinese ship.”
The same stayement claimed that not a single Chinese national was on board the dredging ship when it was found.
Further, it cited information from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) which hinted the ship with an IMO number of 8692665, as under the flag of Sierra Leone.
China further averred:
“The Embassy hopes that any responsible remarks and reports should be based on facts, rather than speculation and misinformation. China is ready to render further assistance to the Philippine authorities concerned in its investigation, should there is such a need.”