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A number of Hong Kong people together with other Chinese citizens on board Hong Kong vessel Kai Fung No.2 landed on the Diaoyu Islands today (August 15). As they were intercepted and taken into custody by the Japanese authority, the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, summoned the Consul General of Japan in Hong Kong, Mr Yuji Kumamaru, at 10.15pm today.
The Chief Executive said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government was extremely concerned about the incident. Through the Consul General, he conveyed the following messages of the HKSAR Government to the Japanese Government:
(1) We reiterate that the Diaoyu Islands have been China's territory since ancient times. The people of Hong Kong have for decades shown strong feelings about these islands. We do not wish to see any action of the Japanese Government that would be seen as provocative by the people of Hong Kong;
(2) We ask the Japanese Government to refrain from taking any action that could endanger the lives and property of Hong Kong people and other Chinese citizens;
(3) We urge the Japanese Government to release all these Hong Kong people and other Chinese citizens as soon as possible.
Ends/Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Issued at HKT 23:23
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