Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan Wednesday demanded Japan not to harm seven Chinese activists who landed on the Diaoyu Island and repeated China's proposal to solve the disputes through negotiations.  

"We demand that Japan treat them (Chinese activists) in a cool-headed manner, and not take any actions that will harm their personal safety," said Kong.

He reiterated that the Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands have been China's inherent territory since ancient times.

"The Chinese government has all along proposed resolving the dispute through negotiations," said Kong.

Seven Chinese activists landed on the disputed Diaoyu Island Wednesday morning on a "scientific expedition."

By press time, the Japanese police had arrested all seven people, according to media reports. They are Feng Jinhua, Zhang Likun, Yin Dongming, Hu Xianfeng, Wang Xiqiang, Fang Weiqiang and Yin Hongmin.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry news release said Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui and an official in the Department of Asian Affairs held urgent meetings with the chargé d'affaires of the Japanese Embassy in Beijing.

(China Daily March 25, 2004)