OT China - Japan Dispute...

[Cdnwolf]

BEIJING: The war of nerves between Japan and China over the disputed Diaoyu Islands in East China Sea took a serious turn on Wednesday with Tokyo detaining 14 Chinese activists who, Tokyo said, made an "illegal entry" in the islands.

The Chinese foreign ministry responded with loud protests that now threaten to snowball into a major controversy as both countries claim ownership to the islands. "The activists ignored warning from Japan before landing. But none of the arrested was hurt," the police in Japan's Okinawa island said. The arrested activists will be transferred to the city of Naha, which is the capital of Okinawa.

"They may be transferred to the Immigration Bureau of Japan later and sent back to Hong Kong," said a spokesman from Japan coast guard quoted by Chinese news agency, Xinhua. China has asked Japan to do nothing that would endanger the safety of the lives and property of Chinese citizens going to the Diaoyu Islands, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.

"China is paying close attention to the developments of relevant issues, and it has expressed its serious concerns over the issues to the Japanese side," Qin said. China's position on the Diaoyu Islands issue remains "clear and resolute".