Boat 'abuse' adds to conflict

Indonesia has condemned what it calls the "inhuman'' treatment of its nationals by a Chinese fishing company that allegedly kept Indonesian fishermen as virtual slaves, leading to the deaths of at least three of them.

The issue threatens to further inflame tensions between China and Indonesia, which accuses Chinese boats of poaching in its exclusive economic zone.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that 49 Indonesian fishermen were forced to work over 18 hours a day on at least four Chinese boats.

Marsudi said some were either not paid or did not receive the agreed amount.

The ceaseless work and poor conditions caused illnesses, killing at least three Indonesians, whose bodies were cast overboard into the ocean, she added.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Beijing was investigating the incident, but preliminary results showed that "parts of the report are false."

"China and Indonesia have maintained close communication on this matter and will properly handle relevant issues on the basis of respecting facts and laws," Zhao said.