Video URL:
http://video.sina.com.cn/p/news/c/v/2015-09-30/195465087963.html
http://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ly-detains-two-japanese-men-on-spying-charges
China arrests two Japanese men on spying charges
Beijing’s confirmation of the arrests prompts denial from Tokyo that it spies on China and could add to tensions between the two countries
Japan’s chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga
Japan’s chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga says Japan does its utmost to protect citizens abroad, but would not discuss specific cases. Photograph: Eugene Hoshiko/AP
Justin McCurry in Tokyo and agencies
Wednesday 30 September 2015 06.32 BST
Last modified on Wednesday 30 September 2015 11.47 BST
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China has confirmed it is holding two Japanese men on espionage charges, prompting a furious denial from Tokyo that it spies on its neighbour or any other country.
Japanese media said the two men, both from the private sector, had been in custody for several months.
One was taken into custody in China’s north-east province of Liaoning near the border with North Korea and the other in the eastern province of Zhejiang near a military facility, the Asahi newspaper said.
Japan refuses to take part in China's 'Victory Day' event to mark end of war
It added that China appeared to be looking into whether the men were acting under instructions from the Japanese government.
Hong Lei, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said that “relevant authorities” had arrested the two people “in accordance with the law for engaging in espionage activities in China”.
He added: “China has already notified the Japanese side of the relevant situation.”
Kyodo News reported that the two men were in their 50s, and quoted an unnamed source as saying that a third Japanese man had been arrested on similar charges.
Japanese officials said they were aware of only two arrests, and denied that Japan was spying on its neighbour.
“We are aware of the reports but would like to refrain for commenting on specific incidents,” chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga told a regular news conference.
“Our country in every case is making every effort concerning the safety of our citizens overseas.
“I’m not going to comment on individual cases … but our country is certainly not doing such things. I would like to say that this is the same with regard to all countries.”
The arrests are likely to add to tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. Bilateral ties have improved slightly in the wake of two meetings between the Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, and the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, since last November.
But the countries are embroiled in a long-running territorial dispute and disagreements over wartime history.
Xi has overseen a tightening of already strict security laws and regulations, including setting up a new national security commission and renaming the national security law, which took effect in 1993, as the Counterespionage Law.
This is not the first time China has detained Japanese nationals on spying charges.
In 2010, four Japanese who worked for the computer firm Fujitsu were temporarily detained in China on suspicion of entering a military zone and taking photographs without permission.
The detentions came at a time of escalating tensions between Tokyo and Beijing over ownership of the Senkakus, a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea that are claimed by both countries but administered by Japan.
China recently acknowledged it had been holding a US citizen, Sandy Phan-Gillis, for about six months under suspicion of spying and stealing state secrets. Details of her detention emerged as Xi began his recent visit to the US.
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/asia/china/AJ201509300068
Two Japanese held in China since May on suspected spying activity
September 30, 2015
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By KIM SOON-HI/ Correspondent
The Japanese government said Sept. 30 that two Japanese nationals have been held by security authorities in China for alleged espionage activity since May.
It is not known what they are specifically accused of having done. But the fact they have been in detention for several months shows that Chinese authorities are taking the matter seriously. It also reflects a recent trend of detaining foreign nationals in connection with spying.
An American businesswoman was recently formally accused of spying after being detained since March.
"I would like to refrain from commenting on individual cases," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga at a news conference on Sept. 30 after confirming two Japanese had been detained.
Sources who are knowledgeable about Japan-China relations said the two men work for Japanese companies and were visiting China when they were apprehended. One was detained in Liaoning province near the Chinese border with North Korea, while the other was held near a military facility in Zhejiang province.
They apparently ran afoul of China's anti-spying and criminal laws.
The administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping has been on the alert against what it calls "anti-Chinese elements from abroad." This has resulted in stepped up monitoring and crackdowns.
China enacted an anti-spying law last November that defined acts of spying as stealing state secrets as well as any activity by an individual or group based either in China or abroad that poses a danger to state security.
The two men are apparently also being questioned about whether they received instructions from the Japanese government.
Under Chinese criminal law, the stiffest punishment for spying that endangers state security is the death penalty.
In September 2010, four Japanese employees of construction company Fujita Corp. and a subsidiary were detained by Chinese authorities because they allegedly entered a restricted military control zone in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, and took videos. In that case, the four were released within 20 days of their detention.
The detentions were seen as a retaliatory act because they came after the arrest of a Chinese trawler captain for ramming a Japan Coast Guard cutter in waters off the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
The latest incident suggests that Chinese security authorities may be viewing the case in a harsher light.
By KIM SOON-HI/ Correspondent
http://video.sina.com.cn/p/news/c/v/2015-09-30/195465087963.html
http://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ly-detains-two-japanese-men-on-spying-charges
China arrests two Japanese men on spying charges
Beijing’s confirmation of the arrests prompts denial from Tokyo that it spies on China and could add to tensions between the two countries
Japan’s chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga
Japan’s chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga says Japan does its utmost to protect citizens abroad, but would not discuss specific cases. Photograph: Eugene Hoshiko/AP
Justin McCurry in Tokyo and agencies
Wednesday 30 September 2015 06.32 BST
Last modified on Wednesday 30 September 2015 11.47 BST
Share on Pinterest
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Google+
China has confirmed it is holding two Japanese men on espionage charges, prompting a furious denial from Tokyo that it spies on its neighbour or any other country.
Japanese media said the two men, both from the private sector, had been in custody for several months.
One was taken into custody in China’s north-east province of Liaoning near the border with North Korea and the other in the eastern province of Zhejiang near a military facility, the Asahi newspaper said.
Japan refuses to take part in China's 'Victory Day' event to mark end of war
It added that China appeared to be looking into whether the men were acting under instructions from the Japanese government.
Hong Lei, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said that “relevant authorities” had arrested the two people “in accordance with the law for engaging in espionage activities in China”.
He added: “China has already notified the Japanese side of the relevant situation.”
Kyodo News reported that the two men were in their 50s, and quoted an unnamed source as saying that a third Japanese man had been arrested on similar charges.
Japanese officials said they were aware of only two arrests, and denied that Japan was spying on its neighbour.
“We are aware of the reports but would like to refrain for commenting on specific incidents,” chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga told a regular news conference.
“Our country in every case is making every effort concerning the safety of our citizens overseas.
“I’m not going to comment on individual cases … but our country is certainly not doing such things. I would like to say that this is the same with regard to all countries.”
The arrests are likely to add to tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. Bilateral ties have improved slightly in the wake of two meetings between the Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, and the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, since last November.
But the countries are embroiled in a long-running territorial dispute and disagreements over wartime history.
Xi has overseen a tightening of already strict security laws and regulations, including setting up a new national security commission and renaming the national security law, which took effect in 1993, as the Counterespionage Law.
This is not the first time China has detained Japanese nationals on spying charges.
In 2010, four Japanese who worked for the computer firm Fujitsu were temporarily detained in China on suspicion of entering a military zone and taking photographs without permission.
The detentions came at a time of escalating tensions between Tokyo and Beijing over ownership of the Senkakus, a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea that are claimed by both countries but administered by Japan.
China recently acknowledged it had been holding a US citizen, Sandy Phan-Gillis, for about six months under suspicion of spying and stealing state secrets. Details of her detention emerged as Xi began his recent visit to the US.
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/asia/china/AJ201509300068
Two Japanese held in China since May on suspected spying activity
September 30, 2015
Tweet
By KIM SOON-HI/ Correspondent
The Japanese government said Sept. 30 that two Japanese nationals have been held by security authorities in China for alleged espionage activity since May.
It is not known what they are specifically accused of having done. But the fact they have been in detention for several months shows that Chinese authorities are taking the matter seriously. It also reflects a recent trend of detaining foreign nationals in connection with spying.
An American businesswoman was recently formally accused of spying after being detained since March.
"I would like to refrain from commenting on individual cases," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga at a news conference on Sept. 30 after confirming two Japanese had been detained.
Sources who are knowledgeable about Japan-China relations said the two men work for Japanese companies and were visiting China when they were apprehended. One was detained in Liaoning province near the Chinese border with North Korea, while the other was held near a military facility in Zhejiang province.
They apparently ran afoul of China's anti-spying and criminal laws.
The administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping has been on the alert against what it calls "anti-Chinese elements from abroad." This has resulted in stepped up monitoring and crackdowns.
China enacted an anti-spying law last November that defined acts of spying as stealing state secrets as well as any activity by an individual or group based either in China or abroad that poses a danger to state security.
The two men are apparently also being questioned about whether they received instructions from the Japanese government.
Under Chinese criminal law, the stiffest punishment for spying that endangers state security is the death penalty.
In September 2010, four Japanese employees of construction company Fujita Corp. and a subsidiary were detained by Chinese authorities because they allegedly entered a restricted military control zone in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, and took videos. In that case, the four were released within 20 days of their detention.
The detentions were seen as a retaliatory act because they came after the arrest of a Chinese trawler captain for ramming a Japan Coast Guard cutter in waters off the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
The latest incident suggests that Chinese security authorities may be viewing the case in a harsher light.
By KIM SOON-HI/ Correspondent
