12 Nov 2010

Leaked China-Japan boat crash video sparks row and protests

A leaked video showing a collision between Japanese coast guard vessels and a Chinese fishing boat has sparked high-level tensions between the two Asian countries. The collision occurred on September 7 in the East China Sea, near a group of islands claimed both by Japan and China. Called Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan, the islands are controlled by Tokyo but also claimed by Beijing. The long-standing ownership dispute flared up after the collision video appeared on YouTube on Friday and was widely picked up by Japanese TV networks. Large demonstrations have occurred in both countries. China demanded an apology and compensation, but Tokyo countered by demanding that Beijing pay for damage to the patrol boats.

YouTubeChina Global Times