Japan detains Chinese activists in disputed islands row

2012-08-15 27

(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)

Chinese demonstrators gather outside the Japanese embassy in Beijing, protesting Tokyo's role in a territorial dispute between the two nations.

Marking the 67th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War Two, protesters chanted anti-Japan slogans critical of Tokyo's claim to the uninhabited Diaoyu Islands thought to be rich in oil and gas reserves.

But while these protesters were rallying in Beijing another group of Chinese activists took a fishing boat to the disputed islands. Seven made it ashore despite being pummelled with water cannon by the Japanese coastguard.

Japan arrested five of the activists and lodged a complaint with China.