BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s top-ranked diplomat intensified pressure on Japan over a territorial dispute, warning Tokyo yesterday against making “misjudgements” over the seizure of a Chinese fishing boat in disputed seas.
China’s latest demand marked another diplomatic escalation in the rift between Asia’s two biggest economies, which has set back their efforts to ease decades of distrust.
State Councillor Dai Bingguo made the warning to Japan’s ambassador in Beijing, Uichiro Niwa, summoned in the early hours to hear China’s call for the release of a Chinese captain and crew whose fishing boat collided with two Japanese coast guard ships in disputed seas last week, Xinhua news agency reported.
Dai advises China’s top leaders on foreign policy and serves on the State Council, or government cabinet, outranking the Foreign Minister within the ruling Communist Party hierarchy.
“[He] solemnly stated the Chinese government’s major concerns and urged Japan not to misjudge the circumstances and to make the wise political choice of immediately returning the Chinese fishermen and their boat,” Xinhua reported.
Chinese media have said ardently patriotic public opinion could become fired up by the dispute.
