The Hindu : Release activists, China tells Japan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 26, 2004

International

International

Release activists, China tells Japan

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE, MARCH 25. China today demanded the "immediate, unconditional release'' of the seven Chinese activists who were detained by Japan on Wednesday, following their landing on an island in the Diaoyu (or, Senkaku) chain, which is claimed by both countries.

Japan made no immediate comment on the demand made by the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Kong Quan, at a press conference in Beijing. Late on Wednesday, China first urged Japan not to harm the activists.

The episode brought into sharp focus the dissonance in Sino-Japanese diplomatic relationship. China reaffirmed its `proposal' to solve the dispute about sovereignty over these islands in East China Sea through `negotiations'.

The significance of the comment had to do with the perception in Beijing about the general disposition of the Japanese authorities to treat the ownership of these islands, under Tokyo's control now, as a settled issue.

Reiterating that the Diaoyu island and its "affiliated islands'' were part of "China's inherent territory since ancient times'', Mr. Kong said "we demand that Japan treat (the Chinese activists) in a cool-headed manner and not take any actions that will harm their personal safety''.

The Chinese Vice-Foreign Minster, Zhang Yesui, summoned a top Japanese diplomat in Beijing to convey concerns over the "serious infringement'' of "territorial sovereignty''.

The Japanese Vice-Foreign Minister, Yukio Takeuchi, had earlier lodged a protest with the Chinese Ambassador in Tokyo, Wu Dawei, over the landing by the activists.

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