Al-Jazeera reports on an anti-Japan protest in Beijing by the Japanese embassy. Anti-Japanese sentiment has flared after the seizure of a Chinese boat captain:
Police have ushered away dozens of Chinese protesters chanting anti-Japanese slogans outside the Japanese embassy in Beijing, amid tensions over a maritime incident last month.
The demonstrators gathered outside the building on Saturday, many shouting “Down with Japan” and “Down with Japanese imperialism”, before hundreds of police moved them away from the site.
Officials had raised concerns that anger over the boat collision in disputed waters near an island group north of Taiwan claimed by both the countries could get out of control.
Recent weeks have seen a rise in anti-Japanese sentiment after a Chinese fishing boat captain after his vessel were seized after hitting two Japanese coast guard vessels.
Japan has returned the boat and its crew but continues to hold the captain, Zhan Qixiong, with China demanding his release.
The Global Times also notes protests in Shanghai and Hong Kong:
In Shanghai, about 20 demonstrators protested in front of the Consulate-General of Japan amid a heavy police presence. And almost 100 people marched through downtown Shenzhen, protesting Japan’s detention of the boat captain, while singing the Chinese national anthem.
About 70 protesters marched through central Hong Kong toward the Japanese consulate, chanting for the return of the ship’s captain and for Japan to stop claiming sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands, according to an AFP report.
BBC News notes protests in other cities, as well as the coincidence with the 1931 Mukden (Shenyang) Incident:
They mark the anniversary of the 1931 “Mukden Incident” that led to Japan’s occupation of north-east China.
In Beijing, dozens gathered outside the Japanese Embassy, while smaller demonstrations were held in Shanghai, Shenyang and Chongqing.
