Spokesman Hong Lei said this is a common fishing case, and the Chinese embassy in Japan has dispatched officials to visit the skipper.

　　China requests that Japan ensure the rights of the Chinese skipper, Hong said, and China is communicating closely with Japan in order to properly resolve the case.

　　The Chinese government has been requiring fishermen to fish legally, Hong said, adding that the competent authorities have done a lot in this area, and he promised to promote the management and education of Chinese fishermen.

　　Japanese prosecutors have indicted the captain of a Chinese fishing boat for illegally operating in Japanese waters, a local official said Friday.

　　The Nagasaki District Public Prosecutors Office has finalized its case against Zhong Jinyin, 39, following his December 20 arrest near islands off southwest Japan, according to the official.

　　The prosecutors have not indicated whether the skipper has admitted to the charge.