2010-09-14

Pacific stays hot

Although U.S.-China relations are improving from August, China and Japan are in a stand-off over the Diaoyu islands.
Beijing ups rhetoric over islands clash
Japan called the situation "extremely regrettable" but China went a step farther, placing the blame squarely on Tokyo and demanding that the arrested skipper, facing up to three years in jail, be freed without delay.

"Japan provoked this serious situation and Japan should take all responsibility," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said, adding it was imperative that the captain be released immediately and safely.

"Taking into consideration all elements, China has decided to postpone the NPC delegation's visit to Japan," she said, referring to a visit by a senior legislator and his delegation, which was to have begun today.

Japan said the trawler last week rammed two Japanese coastguard patrol vessels intentionally during a high-seas chase near the disputed islands, which are claimed by both countries as well as Taiwan.

Japan on Monday released the trawler's 14 crew members and allowed the boat to sail back to China, but that has done little to appease Beijing, incensed over what it reiterated was Japan's illegal handling of the matter.

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