"Mr. Wen’s comments were the first by a senior Chinese official in what is rapidly becoming the most serious territorial dispute China has faced in a decade. The captain and crew were seized earlier this month by Japanese naval vessels, which claimed that the fishing boat rammed them near several uninhabited islands controlled by Japan. The boat and crew were quickly released, but the captain faces charges of obstructing officials from performing their duty and remains in Japanese custody.
China is incensed that Japan would apply its laws to Chinese nationals and argues that the issue is one for diplomacy, not the legal system. Known as Senkaku in Japanese or Diaoyu in Chinese, the islands have been in dispute for decades, but Japan has mostly turned back Chinese vessels that approach too closely.
Mr. Wen made his comments Tuesday night to members of the Chinese-American community in New York, where he is attending a United Nations meeting. The comments were carried Wednesday on the Web site of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
“This is totally illegal, unreasonable and has already caused much suffering to the family of the captain,” Mr. Wen was quoted as saying. “If Japan clings to its course, China will take further action.”
It is highly possible that China will send warships or prepare for military exercises near the disputed area before or after the release of the Chinese fishing boat captain held by the Japanese.Area maps of the disputed islands:
Note natural gas reserves within the disputed area
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