China accuses Japan of provoking 'serious situation'

BEIJING: China on Tuesday accused Japan of creating a "serious situation" in their relationship with the arrest of a Chinese boat captain near a disputed island chain, again demanding his immediate release.

"Japan provoked this serious situation and Japan should take all responsibility," foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told reporters, adding it was "imperative" that the captain be released "immediately and safely".

"Taking into consideration all elements, China has decided to postpone the NPC delegation's visit to Japan," she said, referring to a planned visit by Chinese lawmakers to Tokyo that had been due to begin on Wednesday.

Japan said the skipper rammed two Japanese coastguard patrol vessels intentionally during a high-seas chase near the uninhabited islands -- called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China -- which are claimed by both sides.

Japan on Monday released the 14 crew of the trawler, and allowed the boat to sail back to China, but the act has apparently done little to appease Beijing, incensed over what it says was the "illegal" arrest of the captain.