BEIJING - The Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that an issue regarding Chinese fishing boats that were detained by the Republic of Korea (ROK) has been properly settled.

"The issue has been properly settled and we hope the Chinese fishermen will conduct future fishing activities according to relevant laws and that their legitimate rights and interests will be protected by the ROK during its law enforcement," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said at a regular press conference in Beijing.

An ROK marine police force seized three Chinese fishing boats and detained 31 crew members for investigation on October 22.

According to Jiang, the Chinese embassy to the ROK has lodged representations concerning the matter and the detained fishing boats and crew members have returned home after paying fines.

China hopes bilateral cooperation regarding fishing can still be maintained in a healthy way, Jiang said.