Chinese Foreign Ministry has protested against Japan's
"unreasonable" repelling of people from Hong Kong who tried to sail
to and declare Chinese sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands in the
East China Sea.
An official in charge of Asian affairs reiterated Chinese
government's stance on the issue of the islands when meeting with
Japanese embassy officials on Friday, the ministry said.
"China had demanded through diplomatic channels that Japan
should not take any action that may endanger those Chinese citizens
and their vessel...?and its illegal and tough actions have
injured the Chinese citizens and damaged their ship. We protest
against this move of Japan," the official said.
A group of?people from Hong Kong?started their voyage
to the Diaoyu Islands on Oct. 22 in an aim to land on it and erect
Chinese flags, but they had to retreat after Japanese ships rammed
and hosed water onto their vessel.
The Diaoyu Islands and adjacent islets have been Chinese
territory since ancient times and China has incontestable
historical and legal evidence on this, the Chinese official said,
adding that it is completely legitimate for the Chinese citizens to
declare such sovereignty.
The so-called "actual control" of the Diaoyu Islands by Japan
severely infringes upon?China's sovereignty, the official
said.
He said that China will never accept the so-called "actual
control" and "enforcement right" of Japan over the islands.
China hopes Japan can treat China's stance and concerns on the
issue seriously and handle relevant matters properly to help
improve bilateral relations.
(Xinhua News Agency October 28, 2006)