Chinese trawler captain Zhan Qixiong has been returned by charter plane to Fuzhou, capital of southeast China''s Fujian Province, following his high profile detention in Japan.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement following the captain's return that the Chinese government expressed "strong protest" against Japan, whose detention, investigation or any form of judiciary measures for the Chinese trawler and fishermen are unlawful and invalid.
China asked the Japanese side to apologise and arrange compensation for the incident, the statement said. It also said the two sides should resolve the problems of Sino-Japanese relationship through dialogue and consultation.
On 7 September, two Japan Coast Guard patrol ships and a Chinese trawler collided in waters off China's Diaoyu Islands. On the following day, the Japan Coast Guard seized the Chinese trawler and detained the trawler's captain and 14 fishermen on board, drawing strong protests from the Chinese government and people.
The Japanese side freed the 14 fishermen and the boat on 15 September, but continued to hold the captain. A Japanese court announced on 19 September the trawler captain's detention would be extended by another 10 days.
China had repeatedly urged Japan to unconditionally release the Chinese captain to avoid further damaging bilateral ties, warning "strong counter measures" if Japan failed to do so.
The Chinese had halted bilateral exchanges at and above the provincial and ministerial levels. It also suspended contact with Japan on the issue of expanding aviation rights between the two countries.
"The Japanese side bears full responsibility for the current situation, and it shall bear all the consequences that arise," Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said when meeting with Chinese nationals and Chinese Americans in the US.
