Chinese activists on board a Hong Kong fishing vessel have landed on the Diaoyu Islands and planted a Chinese national flag. Latest reports from Japan say all 14 activists on board the vessel have been arrested by Japanese police. The Chinese foreign ministry is paying close attention to the incident. XX takes a look.
Chinese activists landing on the Diaoyu Islands were confronted by Japanese coast guards.
They first arrested five of activists who landed on the islands earlier in the day. All fourteen activists were arrested later.
According to the Japanese police in Okinawa, they will be transferred to Naha, capital of Okinawa.
The 14 were on a Hong Kong fishing vessel to assert China's claim to the Diaoyu Islands. The vessel left Hong Kong on Sunday.
Japan in total arrested 14 Chinese activists on Wednesday including seven who landed on the Diaoyu Islands at around 5:30 p.m. local time on suspicion of illegal entry, and would later detain the vessel, according to police from Japan's Okinawa. [Xinhua] |
The voyage is a response to some Japanese lawmakers' plans to land on the Diaoyu Islands this weekend.
China has lodged solemn representations with Japan on the latter's illegal detention of the Chinese nationals.
Fu Ying, China's vice foreign minister, urgently summoned Japanese Ambassador to China, Uichiro Niwa.
Fu also called her Japanese counterpart, Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi, over the matter.
She reiterated China's sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands and the affiliated islets, and demanded the Japanese side guarantee the safety of the 14 Chinese citizens, and free them immediately without any conditions.
Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang also said China's stance on Diaoyu Island is clear and firm.
China has expressed serious concerns and demanded the Japanese side not to do anything to endanger the safety of persons or property of the group.