Activists from the Hong Kong-based "Action Committee for Defending the Diaoyu Islands" left Hong Kong on Monday aboard a fishing boat bound for the disputed islands known as Senkaku in Japan, or Diaoyu in China.
Anti-Japan protesters gathered outside the People's Liberation Army (PLA) headquarters to urge the Chinese government to send PLA Navy vessels to escort the boats and make sure there is no interference from Japan's coast guard.
The activists are sailing to the islands to protest against a plan by some 50 Japanese lawmakers to visit the islands on Aug 18. However, late Monday, the government of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said it cannot authorize the visit as it may adversely affect bilateral relations.
Tension over the islands has escalated since Tokyo Gov Shintaro Ishhara outlined his intention to buy the disputed islands.
© Japan Today
16 Comments
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ohayo206
its hilarious hong kong activists are sailing to diayou/senkaku. I expect the same thing from korea, japan, russia, mainland china right wingers. Yee-haw!
fds
japan should test a thermonuclear devise. then it will not have to worry about its borders. its not a violation of the non-proliferation treaty. its a scientific experiment. like whaling!
gogogo
First person to mount a cannon there wins.
Thomas Anderson
They should just start Battle Royale on those islands. Ishihara should go there too.
YuriOtani
Stupid is right, ships of the Peoples Navy would be intercepted by the Maritime Self Defense Force.
Utrack
Hope they are bringing camping gear, if they plan to stay awhile.
Wakarimasen
Island fever at the moment!!!!!!
the-grouch
These people are just asking for trouble. By law they can be detained for up to 20 days and be jailed for illegal trespass of an international border. They can impose a fine and imprisonment for that according to Japanese immigration laws. It's a costly mistake....
nath
Good job to the Hong Kong activists. South Korea, North Korea, Mainland China, Taiwan and Russia all support you guys.
just-a-bigguy
Does the Maritime Self Defense Force. has a chance to sail when China's anti ship ballistic missle falls right on their deck? I dont know...lets see!
tian4670
Feel good about Dokto?
tokyostyle
The news has been on top of the popular news list in various mainland papers but it seems like japan takes it silence to not let its people know there is another island dispute coming from south west?
just-a-bigguy
Sure the Diaoyu /Senkaku island dispute will escalates as the Dokdo island disputes has turned on! You know Japan has been arrogances that brought the entire region tensions beyond control!
Neo_Rio
Korea and China smell blood....
JoeBigs
Island fever at the moment!!!!!!
They need Japan to give them money.
PT24881
Disputed islands have become common tools for politicians to divert attention & grievances resulted from economic downturns at home. This magic equation appears working out fine for the President Putin, the President Lee, the MP Noda..& the President Ma. For China, it offers an additional opportunity of enhancing a possible China-Taiwan united front against Japan -- that may end up improving the momentum of the cross-strait unification process. In the long run, this against the US-Japan's interest. The MP Noda & FM Gemba have probably overdone it by manipulating excessively the issue for support in Japan that provoked violent hostility respectively from the Russian, Koreans & Chinese ( including Taiwanese ). Miscalculations !