Chinese activists who landed on the Diaoyu Islands last week were given a hero's welcome in Hong Kong yesterday but a video of their scuffles with Japanese police will likely aggravate tensions.
The activists' battered boat was greeted by throngs of supporters as it arrived on Hong Kong's waterfront, where it was also welcomed by the other half of the group who had earlier returned by plane.
The seven activists were part of a 14-person group that managed to reach the islands last week. The group included two reporters from Phoenix TV, which broadcast video for the first time of the activists' confrontation with Japanese officers.
In the video, six of the activists are seen clambering over the rocky shoreline. The group wade ashore, advancing toward several dozen Japanese police officers wearing riot gear. One of them waves China's national flag as the officers watch. But as they try to go further, the police block their way. Two of them make a run for it but are tackled by the officers.
Phoenix also broadcast footage of a Japanese coastguard vessel ramming the activists' boat to try to stop it reaching the island.
Japan says it will prosecute any Chinese who land on the islands, while the Hong Kong activists have vowed to make another attempt, possibly as soon as in October.
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