Chinese activists in the fishing boats survived Japanese
warships' attack off Diaoyu Islands and began to return late
Thursday after cast monument with an inscription that says "Chinese
territory Diaoyu Islands" into the sea, a Chinese activist told
Xinhua Friday.
Ten Japanese warships and a plane attacked two Chinese fishing
boats using a water cannon Thursday night off the Chinese Diaoyu
Islands, injuring one Chinese seaman, said Li Nan, who is in charge
of logistics and coordination for an inspection tour of the
islands.
Two fishing boats carrying 20 people from two Chinese companies
and a non-governmental group were attacked by high-pressure water
cannons from Japanese warships about 10 nautical miles off the
islands at about 7:00 p.m. Thursday (Beijing Time), Li said.
To bar Chinese vessels moving nearer to the islands, Japanese
vessels began to spray the cabin of one Chinese boat, damaging its
windshield and spattering glass injuring the wheelman's face and
arms, according to Li.
Chinese activists threw eggs back at warships. During the
conflict, one activist strained his back and the Chinese boat lost
its radio into the sea.
Knowing that a landing on the islands was impossible, another
Chinese vessel released the stone monument inscribed "Chinese
territory Diaoyu islands" into the sea at 123.17 degrees East
Longitude and 24.40 degrees North Latitude near the
archipelago.?
At this time, two Japanese vessels made a sudden attack on the
Chinese boat, Li said.
Zhang Likun and Li Yiqiang, chief organizers of this tour,
decided to return following the conflict.
According to Li Nan, four Japanese warships and a plane appeared
near the two Chinese fishing boats sailing in the direction of
Diaoyu Islands at about 3:00 p.m. Thursday when they were about 31
nautical miles off the islands.
Two hours later, when the boats were about 20 nautical miles
from the islands, the number of Japanese warships approaching the
boats increased to 10, including five in front of the Chinese boats
and another five behind and three planes above, said Li.
They followed the boats and did not attempt to intercept until
7:00 p.m. when the Chinese boats were about 10 nautical miles from
the island.
Li Nan said he lost contact with the two boats after the
conflict, as their radio contact was probably jammed by the
Japanese. A massive rescue operation was under launched by the
Chinese maritime salvage center. By press time, the Chinese vessels
were on the way home. They were expected to reach Xiamen port on
Saturday noon, according to Li Nan.
The two boats left Xiamen in east China's Fujian Province at
10:00 p.m. Tuesday to inspect tourism resources in the sea areas
off the islands. They were scheduled to return on Sunday.
(Xinhua News Agency?January 17, 2004)