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China is having a hard time keeping disputes over surrounding territorial waters in check. Tension between the Philippines and other Southeast Asian neighbors in the South China Sea threatens to undermine trade and leaves vast natural resources under disputed control. But then someone in North Korea, China's closest ally, made an unexpected move. Here's the story.
Earlier this month 29 Chinese fishermen and three boats were captured in the Yellow Sea and were held in North Korea. Now, North Korean officials have released all 29 sailors and their boats back into Chinese hands, according to state-run Xinhua News Agency.
As of when this story broke, there is no clear indication whether kidnappers or North Korean authorities were behind the sailors capture. According to a counselor at the Chinese embassy in Pyongyang, the sailors are in good health and were treated well.
One of the boat owners told Beijing News that a ransom of 1.2-million yuan (about $189,000) was issued for the return of the men and their boats. It was eventually lowered to 900,000 yuan (or $142,000).
Reports from Xinhua did not say whether or not the payment was made.
The Yellow Sea separates China from the Korean peninsula. It's rich in marine life and has seen a growing number of incidents between China and both Koreas. According to one of the fishermen, they had been in territorial Chinese waters when they were taken. The North Koreans were armed.
