Japan to send back Chinese activists
Reuters
2012-08-17
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Fourteen activists are to be sent back to China after being detained by Japan.
The activists were held after landing on an uninhabited island claimed by both Tokyo and Beijing.
Tensions flared between the nations, with China demanding the activists be released.
They are now expected to arrive in Hong Kong on Friday (August 17).
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held ministerial meeting to discuss the situation.
SOUNDBITE: JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER YOSHIHIKO NODA SAYING (Japanese):
"We arrested 14 people including Hong Kong activists on August 15 after they illegally landed on our islands. It is extremely regrettable that they illegally smuggled themselves on to our island despite our repeated warnings not to."
The disputed island lies in an area believed to be rich in oil and gas.
The ownership row is one of many dogging Japan's ties with its Asian neighbours.
The activists were held after landing on an uninhabited island claimed by both Tokyo and Beijing.
Tensions flared between the nations, with China demanding the activists be released.
They are now expected to arrive in Hong Kong on Friday (August 17).
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held ministerial meeting to discuss the situation.
SOUNDBITE: JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER YOSHIHIKO NODA SAYING (Japanese):
"We arrested 14 people including Hong Kong activists on August 15 after they illegally landed on our islands. It is extremely regrettable that they illegally smuggled themselves on to our island despite our repeated warnings not to."
The disputed island lies in an area believed to be rich in oil and gas.
The ownership row is one of many dogging Japan's ties with its Asian neighbours.
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