Japan MPs view boat collision footage
Source: Agencies |
November 2, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
MEMBERS of Japan's parliament reviewed a video yesterday showing a collision between a Chinese fishing boat and Japanese patrol vessels off China's Diaoyu Islands that has flared up into a row between the two countries.
The video, taken by the coast guard vessels involved, was shown to about 30 members of the lower house Budget Committee. It was reportedly about six minutes long. The video has not been made available to the public or other members of parliament.
Japan's coast guard claims the captain of the Chinese ship refused to stop for an inspection and collided with its vessels. The captain was arrested and prosecutors considered pressing charges. He was freed and sent back to China 17 days later.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan has seen the video, Japanese officials said, but his ruling party is against opposition demands that it be made more widely available.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said yesterday that the video showing changed nothing. He said the Diaoyu Islands have been an integral part of the Chinese territory since ancient times.
"The fact that the Japanese patrol boats had disturbed, driven away, intercepted, surrounded and held the Chinese fishing boat was illegal in itself and severely infringed on China's sovereignty and Chinese fishermen's rights and interests," Ma said.
"The so-called video cannot change the fact and cannot cover the unlawfulness of the Japanese action," he added.
The September 7 incident sparked a high-level tiff. Anger over the incident generated several anti-Japanese demonstrations in China.
After the collision, China demanded an apology and compensation. China cut off ministerial-level contacts with Japan and repeatedly called in Tokyo's ambassador to demand the release of the Chinese captain.
The video, taken by the coast guard vessels involved, was shown to about 30 members of the lower house Budget Committee. It was reportedly about six minutes long. The video has not been made available to the public or other members of parliament.
Japan's coast guard claims the captain of the Chinese ship refused to stop for an inspection and collided with its vessels. The captain was arrested and prosecutors considered pressing charges. He was freed and sent back to China 17 days later.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan has seen the video, Japanese officials said, but his ruling party is against opposition demands that it be made more widely available.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said yesterday that the video showing changed nothing. He said the Diaoyu Islands have been an integral part of the Chinese territory since ancient times.
"The fact that the Japanese patrol boats had disturbed, driven away, intercepted, surrounded and held the Chinese fishing boat was illegal in itself and severely infringed on China's sovereignty and Chinese fishermen's rights and interests," Ma said.
"The so-called video cannot change the fact and cannot cover the unlawfulness of the Japanese action," he added.
The September 7 incident sparked a high-level tiff. Anger over the incident generated several anti-Japanese demonstrations in China.
After the collision, China demanded an apology and compensation. China cut off ministerial-level contacts with Japan and repeatedly called in Tokyo's ambassador to demand the release of the Chinese captain.
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