Beijing, in a move that underscores its concern over domestic public anger, repeated its demand Thursday that Japan "immediately and unconditionally" free 14 Chinese arrested after they sailed to the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands to assert China's sovereignty over the disputed territory.
Chinese Executive Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun made the demand in a telephone call to his Japanese counterpart, Vice Foreign Minister Kenichiro Sasae, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a news release.
Japan plans to deport the arrested Chinese, including seven activists who landed on the islet of Uotsuri, possibly Friday, government sources said. The Senkaku islets are technically under the jurisdiction of Ishigaki, Okinawa, but are also claimed by China and Taiwan.