Panama-flagged ship inspections comply with international conventions: Foreign Ministry

China said on Monday that its safety inspections of Panama-flagged vessels calling at Chinese ports are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations and fully comply with international conventions.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian made the remarks in response to allegations made by representatives of the United States and Panama at the 137th session of the Council of the International Maritime Organization that China had taken punitive measures against Panama-flagged vessels for "political reasons".

Statistics from relevant Chinese authorities show that Panama-flagged vessels have recorded the highest safety accident rate among foreign-flagged ships operating in Chinese waters since the beginning of this year, Lin said.

From January to July, Panama-flagged vessels accounted for nearly 20 percent of port calls by foreign-flagged ships in China, but accounted for about 50 percent of ship accidents and deaths or missing-person cases, he said.

"China attaches great importance to maritime traffic safety and the safety of life at sea," he said, adding that China conducts port state control inspections of vessels calling at Chinese ports in accordance with laws and regulations.

Such inspections are fully consistent with international conventions, Lin added.