China pressures Japan over boat

China’s top foreign policy official increased pressure on Japan on Sunday by summoning its ambassador to again demand the immediate release of Chinese fishermen and their boat detained near disputed islands.

China’s top foreign policy official increased pressure on Japan on Sunday by summoning its ambassador to again demand the immediate release of Chinese fishermen and their boat detained near disputed islands.

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State Councillor Dai Bingguo called in Ambassador Uichiro Niwa early Sunday,

China’s Foreign Ministry said. It was the fourth time that Niwa has been summoned over the incident, and it was highly unusual for an official of Dai’s rank to intercede.

The fishing boat collided with Japanese patrol vessels last week after ignoring warnings to leave the area and refusing to stop for an inspection, Japan’s coast guard said.