CHINA: Hong Kong activists attempting to travel to the disputed Diaoyu islands provide footage of their capture and return

Record ID: 872897

  • Title: CHINA: Hong Kong activists attempting to travel to the disputed Diaoyu islands provide footage of their capture and return
  • Date: 25th September 2010
  • Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (SEPTEMBER 24, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF THE ACTIVIST'S BOAT ANCHORED IN A TYPHOON SHELTER IN HONG KONG
  • Embargoed: 10th October 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • City:
  • Country: China
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVAAEJZD9LQMJZ35TEUVDQ2BOVPO
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: The small group of Hong Kong activists stopped twice in their attempt to sail to the disputed Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea have released footage of their capture.
    The crew of seven men tried to travel to the islands on Wednesday (September 22) and Thursday (September 23) but were escorted back to Hong Kong coasts by marine police on both instances.
    Their footage showed their boat being towed and taken to the marine police headquarters in Hong Kong for questioning.
    The activists say the purpose of their trip was to support China's claim to the Diaoyu islands and to exercise their right to fish in the disputed waters.
    "I don't know whether we will leave Hong Kong waters or not, we are trying to find an area that we will be able to catch fish. But, we don't know where the fish are, right?," said one of the activists aboard the ship, Lo Chau.
    Their return highlights the controversy surrounding the islands called Senkaku in Japan, Diaoyu in China and Tiaoyutai in Taiwan.
    All three governments covet ownership of the islands as they are believed to be rich in oil and fish.
    On September 7, Japanese authorities detained the captain and crew of a Chinese fishing trawler that collided with two Japanese coast guard patrol ships, igniting a dispute that has since engulfed the two Asian nations.
    The Chinese trawler captain Zhan Qixiong was set to be released from Japanese custody on Friday (September 24) and will be escorted back to Mainland China.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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