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 Zhang Yesui Wednesday afternoon summoned Chikahito Harada, chargé 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.

Also on Wednesday, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Dawei 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.

(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2004)