200 Chinese protesters burn Japanese flags on the streets of Colombia’s capital, said a representative from the Japanese embassy Tuesday.
An official from the Japanese mission in Bogota told Colombia Reports that approximately 200 Chinese citizens voiced their displeasure outside the embassy Tuesday.
The dispute arose over Japanese claims to the Senkaku Islands, also known as the Diaoyu Islands, in the East China Sea. The official said, “Japan has had a historical claim…and a claim in international law…that the islands have been a part of Japan since 1885.”
She was keen to emphasize that, “Japan would like to have constructive diplomatic relations with China,” and did not anticipate an escalation of the issue.
Aside from the flag burning, the embassy said the demonstrations remained peaceful. There were no injuries and the staff work at the embassy has continued unimpeded. The protesters arrived at 8:30 in the morning and dispersed two hours later.