(Adds nine crew members freed, but captain detained) TAIPEI (Reuters) - Japan seized a Taiwan boat that entered disputed waters rich in fish and possible undersea oil reserves, the Taiwan coast guard said on Monday. Japanese coastguards boarded and detained the fishing vessel, with 11 crew aboard, at around 1200 GMT on Sunday, Taiwan authorities said. Nine of the crew were taken back to Taiwan on Monday afternoon, but the captain and one crew member were held for an investigation after a day of talks, Taiwan's foreign ministry said. The disputed area surrounds the Senkaku Islands, an uninhabited archipelago 2,000 km (1,200 miles) south of Tokyo. Japan controls the islets and a vast surrounding region of the sea that has been a historical fishing area for Taiwan, which also claims the territory. The eight uninhabited islands are known as the Tiaoyutai in Taiwan and the Diaoyu islands in China, which claims them as well. They are thought to lie near undersea oil and gas reserves. In June 2008, Japan and Taiwan exchanged bitter words after a Taiwan fishing boat collided with a Japanese coastguard vessel and sank near the islets. The two sides normally enjoy good relations. Taiwan wants Japan to return the fishing boat and let local authorities take punitive action for entering the disputed area. (Reporting by Ralph Jennings; Editing by Bill Tarrant) (ralph.jennings@thomsonreuters.com; +886 2 2500 4882; Reuters Messaging: ralph.jennings.reuters.com@reuters.net)) (If you have a query or comment on this story, send an email to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com)
Hong Kong journalists march with banners in support of press freedom and to protest against the Chinese paramilitary police for beating Hong Kong journalists, in Hong Kong September 13, 2009. The ...
