UN chief hopes China and Japan can amicably resolve current differences

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced hope that China and Japan can amicably resolve their current differences, in light of the recent tensions that arose between the East Asian neighbours over a boat collision near disputed territory.

Relations between China and Japan have been strained for over three weeks after Japan’s detention of a Chinese fishing boat captain whose trawler collided with two Japanese Coast Guard vessels near islands in the East China Sea that both sides claim.

According to media reports, the trawler captain was released on Saturday, but Beijing wants compensation and an apology, a demand Tokyo has rejected.

“The Secretary-General hopes that China and Japan, as two good neighbours, will resolve their current difficulties in an amicable way,” UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky told reporters in New York.

“Good cooperation between these two nations is essential,” he added.