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Taiwanese boats off disputed East China Sea islands Taiwanese boats off disputed East China Sea islands
(about 1 hour later)
Dozens of Taiwanese vessels, including coastguard ships, have entered waters around disputed East China Sea islands, Japanese officials say.Dozens of Taiwanese vessels, including coastguard ships, have entered waters around disputed East China Sea islands, Japanese officials say.
The uninhabited islands, called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are controlled by Japan, but also claimed by China and Taiwan.The uninhabited islands, called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are controlled by Japan, but also claimed by China and Taiwan.
Tension in the region has been high since Japan's purchase of the islands from their private Japanese owner.Tension in the region has been high since Japan's purchase of the islands from their private Japanese owner.
A top Japanese envoy is in Beijing for talks aimed at easing the strains.A top Japanese envoy is in Beijing for talks aimed at easing the strains.
Japanese Vice-Foreign Minister Chikao Kawai is set to meet Chinese counterpart Zhang Zhijun, amid a row that has seen anti-Japanese protests in several Chinese cities.Japanese Vice-Foreign Minister Chikao Kawai is set to meet Chinese counterpart Zhang Zhijun, amid a row that has seen anti-Japanese protests in several Chinese cities.
Chinese surveillance and fishing boats have also been sailing in and out of waters around the islands in recent days, following the Japanese government's announcement that it had bought the islands.Chinese surveillance and fishing boats have also been sailing in and out of waters around the islands in recent days, following the Japanese government's announcement that it had bought the islands.
The row over ownership of the islands has been rumbling for years and has flared sporadically.The row over ownership of the islands has been rumbling for years and has flared sporadically.
'Fishing rights''Fishing rights'
The Taiwanese ships entered the area early on Tuesday morning, accompanied by 10 Taiwanese surveillance ships, Japan's Kyodo news agency quoted the Japanese coastguard as saying. A spokesman from Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration told the BBC 58 fishing vessels arrived in the disputed waters at around 05:00 local time (21:00 GMT Monday) after setting off from a northern Taiwanese port on Monday afternoon.
AFP news agency, citing an unnamed Japanese coastguard spokesperson, said that six Taiwanese coastguard vessels were among the boats. The fishing boats were accompanied by several Taiwanese coast guard vessels.
The Taiwanese fishing boats set out for the islands on Monday from the eastern port of Suao, in a move activists and fishermen said was to protect fishing rights and access to traditional fishing grounds. The move, activists and fishermen said, was to protect fishing rights and access to traditional fishing grounds.
"Fishing rights are more important than sovereignty, but fishing rights also means sovereignty (in this case),'' activist Chen Chunsheng, who is organising the flotilla, told reporters on Monday."Fishing rights are more important than sovereignty, but fishing rights also means sovereignty (in this case),'' activist Chen Chunsheng, who is organising the flotilla, told reporters on Monday.
''So for this day on which we negotiate fishing rights, we are willing to be the backing of the government.''''So for this day on which we negotiate fishing rights, we are willing to be the backing of the government.''
The group plans to encircle the islands and has not ruled out disembarking to raise Taiwan's flag, says the BBC's Cindy Sui.
Both China and Taiwan say they have inherited historic sovereignty over the islands.
'Difficult situation'
The Japanese government moved to buy the islands in response to a potentially much more provocative plan by right-wing Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara to buy and develop them using public donations.
The row comes at a time when both China and Japan are facing political changes domestically, making it difficult for either side to be seen as backing down.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's government - already hit by poor figures in opinion polls - is likely to face an election in coming months. China is due to hold a party congress in weeks that will see major changes in the top echelons of leadership.
Arriving in Beijing on Monday, Japan's envoy Chikao Kawai stressed the importance of bilateral ties.
"Because of the current difficult situation, I plan to explain what Japan is now considering to Zhang Zhijun and listen to what China is considering, for the importance of the relationship between both countries," he said.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Beijing would set out its position: "China will urge Japan to correct their mistakes and make efforts in improving ties," he said.
A ceremony to mark 40 years of ties with Japan - due on Thursday - has been put off.
Last week, several major Japanese companies suspended operations in China for days after attacks on shops and car dealerships.
This led to fears over a larger impact on trade between China and Japan, which is worth about $345bn (£212bn).