KMT activists mull Diaoyu landing

A Kuomintang (KMT) councilor's proposal to assert China's sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands has gained public support and has already been approved by its "parliament", China News Service reported Thursday.

Lin Yue-xian, a KMT member of Taiwan's Yilan County Council, proposed organizing activists to sail to the Diaoyu Islands in protest against Japan's illegal "nationalization" in his draft bill in August, according to Taiwan's Central News Agency.

The report said the preparation work is underway and KMT activists plan the landing in February next year to raise Chinese national flag and pin a big door plate on the Islands.

At least six fishing vessels will be sent once the funding is raised, said Chen Jin-lin, a chief in charge of assembling and convening the preparatory meeting. They will start to use the County's second reserve funds to support the landing.

Taiwan activists' determination to protect the Diaoyu Islands was reignited following the failed attempt by seven Taiwan boats to land on the Islands earlier this week after the Japanese Coast Guard patrol ship fired water cannon to turn them away.

Fourteen Chinese activists arrived at the Diaoyu Islands on a Hong Kong fishing vessel on Aug 15 to assert China's sovereignty over the Islands and were subsequently detained by the Japanese Coast Guard. Seven of them were released and flew back to Hong Kong on Aug 17.

Photos: Japan fires water cannon at Taiwan boats

Special: China-Japan row over Diaoyu Islands