The Chinese government will send a chartered plane to bring back the Chinese trawler captain illegally detained by Japan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said?in Beijing?Friday.

Jiang made the remarks after reports said that Japan had decided to free captain Zhan Qixiong.

"I reiterate that any form of the so-called judicial procedures taken by Japan against the Chinese captain is illegal and invalid," Jiang said.

On Sept. 7, two Japan Coast Guard patrol ships and a Chinese trawler collided in waters off China's Diaoyu Islands. On the following day, the Japan Coast Guard illegally seized the Chinese trawler and detained the trawler's captain and 14 fishermen on board, drawing strong protests from the Chinese government and people.

The Japanese side freed the 14 fishermen and the boat last week, but continued to hold the captain. China has repeatedly urged Japan to unconditionally release the Chinese captain to avoid further damaging bilateral ties.