China to Japan: Release detained boat skipper immediately and unconditionally

Beijing, Sept. 20 (ANI): Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya summoned Japanese ambassador to China Uichiro Niwa on Sunday evening to express his strong indignation and protest against Japan's prolonged detention of a Chinese skipper.

"The incident created by the Japanese side has severely damaged China-Japan relations," said Wang.

According to a Xinhua news report, he was reacting to the Japanese authorities decision on Sunday afternoon to extend the detention of the captain to September 29.

Two Japan Coast Guard patrol ships and the Chinese fishing boat collided in waters off the Diaoyu Islands on September 7.

The Japanese side illegally seized the Chinese trawler and fishermen, and continued to illegally hold the Chinese captain despite firm protests by Beijing.

Wang warned Japan that China could take strong counter measures if the former failed to release the Chinese captain immediately and unconditionally. (ANI)