China Cancels Negotiations with Japan Amid Dispute

China continues to protest the arrest of a Chinese boat captain whose vessel collided with two Japanese patrol boats.

China has continually demanded the captain be released. In dispute of the ongoing detainment of the captain, China has cancelled several planned official visits and negotiations.

In addition China has cancelled an invitation to about 1,000 Japanese youths to the World Expo in Shanghai. The government has also cancelled two concerts at the Expo next month by Japanese pop band SMAP.

China has said the incident has severely damaged relations between the two countries and warns Japan to return the captain immediately without condition to avoid further deterioration.

Protests have been ongoing in both countries since the initial arrest of the captain and crew. The crew was released last week in hopes that this would ease tensions, however the continued detainment of the captain has only made matters worse.

The dispute started on September 7 when Japanese patrol boats told a Chinese fishing vessel to leave a territory long disputed by the two countries and Taiwan. When the fishing vessel didn’t respond, the Japanese fishing vessels took off after him. During the chase the fishing vessel collided with both of the Japanese patrol boats.

The disputed island chain, known as Senkaku in Japan, Diaoyu in China or Pinnacle in Taiwan, and surrounding waters are home to rich fishing grounds and are believed to have oil and gas fields. China believes Japan had no right to be patrolling territory that China considers theirs.

The day after the collision, Japan arrested Zhan Qixiong, 41, saying he violated Japanese law. A Japanese court extended the captains detainment to September 29 so that prosecutors have a chance to determine what laws he violated, on this date Japan will determine whether he is indicted or sent home.

The Associated French Press reports that China continues to call the arrest illegal while Japan urges everyone to remain calm and avoid "extreme nationalism."

AFP, Washington Post, The Japan Times