Japan on Sunday rejected China’s demand that it apologize and give compensation for the detention of 41-year-old Chinese skipper, Zhan Qixiong, who was arrested after colliding with Japanese coast guard vessels near the Senkaku Islands Sept. 7.
The Sankaku Islands, also known as the Diaoyu, or Tiaoyutai Islands, are claimed by Japan, China, and Taiwan.
Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Saturo Sato stated that Beijing’s demand for compensation is “groundless” and “totally unacceptable”, according to the Japan Times.
The rebuttal came after China said on Saturday that the detention was “unlawful and invalid,” because the islands are Chinese territory.
Qixiong was released Saturday morning.
Since the collision, tensions between the two nations have grown. China repeatedly demanded the captain’s release and pressured Japan by canceling talks between the high level officials, staging demonstrations, and investigating four Japanese suspected of illegally filming military targets and entering a military zone without authorization.
The Sankaku Islands, also known as the Diaoyu, or Tiaoyutai Islands, are claimed by Japan, China, and Taiwan.
Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Saturo Sato stated that Beijing’s demand for compensation is “groundless” and “totally unacceptable”, according to the Japan Times.
The rebuttal came after China said on Saturday that the detention was “unlawful and invalid,” because the islands are Chinese territory.
Qixiong was released Saturday morning.
Since the collision, tensions between the two nations have grown. China repeatedly demanded the captain’s release and pressured Japan by canceling talks between the high level officials, staging demonstrations, and investigating four Japanese suspected of illegally filming military targets and entering a military zone without authorization.
