Beijing demands activists' release

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Beijing urged Tokyo on Wednesday to immediately and unconditionally release 14 Chinese nationals held over a landing on islands belonging to China.

In a meeting with Japan's ambassador to Beijing and a phone call with a Japanese official, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Fu Ying "demanded that Japan ensure the safety of 14 Chinese nationals and immediately and unconditionally release them", the Foreign Ministry said on its website.

Fu also "made solemn representations on Japan's unlawful detention of Chinese nationals on the Diaoyu Islands", the ministry website said.

Tension between Japan and its Asian neighbors rose sharply on Wednesday, the 67th anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender, after Japanese ministers visited a shrine in Tokyo, against the advice of their prime minister, that honors war criminals.

As news broke on Wednesday of the arrests and the shrine visit, a group of swimmers from the Republic of Korea made it to the Dokdo Islands. The islands are called Takeshima in Japan and Tokyo disputes their sovereignty.

How Tokyo handles the detained activists will determine if the situation escalates, experts said.

It seems the administration of Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is trying to avoid triggering a more serious response from Beijing, they said.

Japan arrested the activists on suspicion of "illegal entry" after they landed on the Diaoyu Islands, according to Okinawa police.

Two activists, who also landed on the islands, returned to their fishing boat before they were arrested, the police said. Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV said the vessel is now under the control of the Japanese coastguard.

Questions:

1. How many Chinese nationals are being held?

2. What is the name of the Island?

3. What was the 67th anniversary celebrated on Wednesday?

Answers:

1. 14.

2. Diaoyu Islands.

3. Japan's World War II surrender.

About the broadcaster:

Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.