POSSIBLE VIOLATION OF U.N. SANCTION ON NKOREA EYED

China is “highly concerned” about a reported shipto-ship transfer on the high seas that could violate U.N. sanctions on North Korea and has launched an investigation. Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China would “seriously deal” with any individuals or enterprises found to be involved in the incident reported by Japan. Punishment of any Chinese entities found to have been involved would be carried out “based on solid evidence and in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations,” he said. A Japanese maritime Self-Defense Force PC-3 surveillance plane and an escort ship saw a North Korean-flagged tanker alongside a smaller ship on Feb. 16 about 250 kilometers off Shanghai in the East China Sea, Japan’s foreign ministry said.