BEIJING - China hopes the Republic of Korea (ROK) will protect the legal rights of Chinese fishermen according to law, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Thursday in response to a question regarding eight Chinese fishing boats that were seized by ROK authorities within one week.

Spokesman Hong Lei said at a Thursday press briefing that China has paid close attention to illegal fishing and sternly punished such activity since the country signed a fishing protocol with the ROK.

Both sides should resolve disputes properly in order to boost cooperation in the fishing industry, Hong said.

"We hope the ROK will refrain from engaging in violent raids so as to avoid future casualties," Hong said.