| Japan sends back Chinese activists to ease island row |
TOKYO/BEIJING Japan on Friday sent home the first group of Chinese activists detained after landing on an island claimed by both Tokyo and Beijing, a move China welcomed but at the same time warned its neighbour against further ‘escalation’ in tension.
Seven activists took off for Hong Kong from Okinawa, the Immigration Bureau said, and the rest of the 14-strong group were expected to head home by boat later on Friday.
Japanese television showed them making “V” signs as they were driven to the airport.
“This time, the Japanese government has quickly released the illegally detained Chinese Diaoyu people, a wise move to avoid the deterioration in Sino-Japan relations,” China’s official Xinhua news agency said in a commentary.
“But how to prevent the tension over the Diaoyu islands from escalating, and how to avoid further harming Sino-Japanese relations, the Japanese government’s next step is crucial. While respecting the historical facts and the feelings of the Chinese people, (the Japanese government) must end as soon as possible the absurd ‘buying islands’ farce.”
The nationalist governor of Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara, has proposed that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government buy the islands from their private owners.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda wants to have the central government make the purchase instead.
Also on Friday Japan said it wanted South Korea to go to the International Court of Justice for a ruling on the disputed island chain, as Tokyo looks to get some diplomatic leverage in a damaging row.
“Aiming to resolve the issue calmly, fairly and peacefully, we will propose to take this issue to the International Court of Justice,” Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura told a news conference.
Reuters
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