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September 8, 2010

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China warns Japan over collisions at sea

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao yesterday summoned the Japanese ambassador to China, Uichiro Niwa, and lodged solemn representations about Japan's interception of a Chinese fishing boat.

Two Japanese patrol boats collided with the Chinese vessel in waters off the Diaoyu Islands earlier yesterday. The fishing boat was then intercepted by Japanese patrol boats.

Song urged Japanese patrol boats to stop their illegal interceptions of Chinese fishing boats.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said China had formally lodged a protest with Japan over the incident and warned that it could take further action.

Jiang said the Diaoyu Islands and its adjacent islets have been Chinese territory since ancient times.

No injuries were reported from the two collisions that occurred within 40 minutes.

Japan Coast Guard spokesman Yosuke Oi said the two Japanese patrol vessels sustained minor damage.

It was unclear if the Chinese ship was damaged.

After chase that lasted some hours, the Chinese boat stopped and some 20 Japanese coast guard officials got board it for an inspection, which was continuing last night, Oi said. Nobody had been arrested.

The collisions occurred after the Japanese patrol vessels ordered the Chinese ship to stop for an onsite inspection over alleged violation of international fishing laws, he said.

The Chinese trawler, carrying a crew of 15, first collided with the Japanese patrol boat Yonakuni at around 10:15am, slightly damaging its stern.

About 40 minutes later, the Chinese boat made a sudden turn and collided with another patrol vessel, the Mizuki, causing a dent on its starboard side and damaging its railings, Oi said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said China urged Japanese patrol boats in the area against any "so-called law enforcement activities or any actions that would jeopardize Chinese fishing boats or Chinese people."

"We are keeping a close eye on the developments and reserve the right to make a further response," she said.

 

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