China calls in Japan envoy over fishing boat collision

Tokyo: Diplomatic tensions between China and Japan escalated yesterday when Beijing called in Japan's ambassador for a second time after a Chinese fishing boat collided with two Japanese patrol vessels near a chain of disputed islands and Tokyo arrested the boat's captain.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said Japanese Ambassador Uichiro Niwa was summoned yesterday to see Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue, who demanded that the Chinese ship and crew be released immediately. Niwa also was summoned Tuesday evening.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku said he doesn't believe the arrest of the Chinese captain will affect Tokyo's ties with Beijing.

"We will handle the matter firmly in accordance with the law," he told reporters. "It is important that in Japan we not get overly excited."

In Beijing, there was a small, organised protest yesterday in front of the Japanese Embassy.

About 30 people gathered to shout slogans and wave flags. Such events usually happen only with the approval of local police or officials. No property was damaged.

The group also submitted a letter of protest to the embassy.