- Title: CHINA: Hong Kong protesters demand Japan free boat captain
- Date: 19th September 2010
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (SEPTEMBER 18, 2010) (REUTERS) PROTEST ORGANISER ADDRESSING PROTESTERS PROTESTERS HOLDING CHINESE NATIONAL FLAGS IN FRONT OF BANNER READING: "DIAOYU ISLANDS ARE CHINA'S SACRED LAND" MAN HOLDING CHINESE FLAGS (SOUNDBITE) (English) LEGISLATOR AND "FREE DIAOYU ISLANDS" MEMBER, ALBERT HO, SAYING: "The continued occupation of the Diaoyu islands is a symbol of unceased Japanese invasion of our country. It reminded our people of the sad history of the past, all the atrocities committed by the Japanese imperial army in our country." PROTESTER HOLDING BANNER (SOUNDBITE) (English) LEGISLATOR AND "FREE DIAOYU ISLANDS" MEMBER, ALBERT HO, SAYING: "No it is not petty and if this matter remains unresolved, I don't think the friendship between these two nations can be truly rebuilt. There is a lot of mistrust against the Japanese which I think should be dispelled by appropriate actions to be taken by their government. I think they shouldn't have left this burden to the younger generations." BANNER (SOUNDBITE) (English) MAINLAND CHINESE PROTESTER, DERICK LIEN, SAYING: "Because it is Chinese territory and no matter if it's small or big islands, we must protect our territory." PROTESTERS HOLDING BANNERS BANNER ON THE GROUND
- Embargoed: 4th October 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: China
- Country: China
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA28AVIN2GUQ13YMRIR1TSLJR1Z
- Story Text: Around a hundred protesters marched in Hong Kong on Saturday (September 18) to denounce Japan, on the anniversary of Japan's invasion of mainland China.
Protesters chanted slogans and carried banners calling for Japan to apologise for its wartime conduct, to let China control a string of uninhabited islands and to stop seeking permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council.
Ever-present anti-Japanese sentiment in China has been inflamed in recent weeks by Japan's seizure of a Chinese fishing boat in waters near the Diaoyu islands north of Taiwan that is claimed by both Tokyo and Beijing.
Japan is still holding the ship's Chinese captain who could face prosecution for obstructing the coast guards' public duties.
The boat was seized after it collided with two Japanese patrol boats.
"The continued occupation of the Diaoyu islands is a symbol of unceased Japanese invasion of our country. It reminded our people of the sad history of the past, all the atrocities committed by the Japanese imperial army in our country," said pro-democracy legislator Albert Ho.
Beijing has stated that the incident could damage its relations with Japan and has summoned Japan's ambassador to China five times.
"No it is not petty and if this matter remains unresolved, I don't think the friendship between these two nations can be truly rebuilt. There is a lot of mistrust against the Japanese which I think should be dispelled by appropriate actions to be taken by their government. I think they shouldn't have left this burden to the younger generations," said Ho.
The Democratic Party and other pro-democracy groups critical of Beijing organised the march, it's part of a tradition among democracy advocates to use criticisms of Japan as a way to show Chinese nationalism without embracing China's Communist Party.
While mainland China does not allow unauthorised demonstrations, the former British colony retains a separate legal and economic system from the mainland since it's return to Chinese rule in 1997.
"Because it is Chinese territory and no matter if it's small or big islands, we must protect our territory," said Derrick Lien, a mainland Chinese working in Hong Kong.
Saturday (September 18) marks the anniversary of the 1931 "Mukden Incident'' that led to the Japanese occupation of China's northeast.
Small protests were also held outside Japanese diplomatic facilities in Beijing and Shanghai in the morning. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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