China demands Japan 'unconditionally' release activists

Home>>China

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, March 26, 2004

China demands Japan 'unconditionally' release activists

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

The Chinese Foreign Ministry lodged a solemn representation Wednesday afternoon with Japan for illegally detaining seven Chinese citizens who landed on Diaoyu Island, a Chinese island in the East China Sea.

Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo Thursday summoned Chikahito Harada, charge d' affaires of the Japanese Embassy in China, to lodge a solemn representation once again over Japan's illegal detention of Chinese citizens who landed on the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea.

Dai pointed out the Diaoyu Islands have been Chinese territory from ancient times over which China has indisputable sovereignty.

He said China strongly protests against Japan's illegal blocking of Chinese citizens from landing on the Diaoyu Islands and against its illegal detention of the seven.

This seriously infringed on China's territorial sovereignty and Chinese citizens' human rights, he said, adding that the Chinese Government and people will never accept it.

It is a fact that China and Japan are in dispute over the sovereignty of the Diaoyu Islands, Dai said, adding that the Chinese Government has always advocated political negotiations to resolve the issue.

Since the Japanese side accepts that the two countries have different views, Japan's detention of the Chinese people according to its domestic law is a severe violation of international law, Dai said.

China will never accept Japan's attempts to deal with the issue according to its domestic laws, he emphasized.

Dai demands that Japan recognize the seriousness of the situation, and unconditionally release the detained Chinese citizens. Otherwise, he said, this issue could be complicated and intensified to jeopardize Sino-Japanese relations. The serious outcomes from this would have to be borne by Japan, he said.

Dai stressed the Chinese Government and leaders are concerned about the security of the Chinese citizens detained illegally, and China urges Japan to secure their safety, and not to take any action infringing on their dignity or rights.

Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui Wednesday afternoon summoned Chikahito Harada, charge d'affaires of Japanese embassy in China, to lodge the representation.

Zhang stated the stance of the Chinese government on the Diaoyu Island issue. He pointed out that Diaoyu Island and the attached islets have been a part of the Chinese territory since ancient times and China has indisputable sovereignty over these islands.

The Chinese government and people have the firm determination and willingness to safeguard the sovereignty of their own national territory, he stressed.

Zhang said it is a serious incident that Japan illegally detained seven Chinese citizens who landed on China's own Diaoyu Island.

Such an act seriously infringed on the territorial sovereignty of China and human rights of the Chinese citizens, he said, emphasizing that the Chinese government and people expressed indignation over the event.

"We demand the Japanese side to guarantee the security of the Chinese citizens and unconditionally release them," he said.

Otherwise, it will lead to further complication and enlargement of the situation and stir stronger indignation among the Chinese people, he said.

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Dawei Wednesday lodged a solemn representation with Japanese Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeuchi Yukio.

Should Japan cling obstinately to its own course and continue its moves to deteriorate China-Japan relations, Japan will be responsible for all consequences arising thereupon, Ambassador Wu said.

The Japanese side moved the seven Chinese citizens to the Okinawa prefecture of Japan Thursday.

The Chinese government has instructed officials with the Chinese Embassy in Japan to head for the spot and handle relevant matters.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan told a regular news briefing: "China expresses its protest and demands the Japanese side ensure the safety of the Chinese people and their immediate, unconditional release."

"We think this (the detention) is an illegal action which breaks international law and moreover it is a serious provocation against China's sovereignty and territory and the human rights of Chinese citizens," Kong said.

He said it is crystal clear that the Diaoyu Island and the archipelago around it are historically China's territory, to which China has indisputable sovereignty.

Located to the northeast of China's Taiwan Island, the cluster of islands is composed of Diaoyu Island, Huangwei Yu, Chiwei Yu, Nanxiao Dao, Beixiao Dao Island and some reefs, covering an area of 6.3 square kilometres.

Source: Xinhua

Questions?Comments? Click here

Japan told not to harm Diaoyu Islands activists

Civilian group to Diaoyu Islands for tourism route

The truth of Diaoyu Island's ownership

Israel's killing of Yassin fuels conflict: Commentary ( 2 Messages)

How the US could improve its image abroad ( 14 Messages)

US urged not to fingerprint Chinese ( 10 Messages)

China hunts corrupt officials who abscond overseas ( 3 Messages)

Seven Chinese activists land on Diaoyu Islands ( 4 Messages)