NEW YORK, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has warned Japan to release the captain of a Chinese fishing boat seized earlier this month near some uninhabited islands.
"If Japan clings to its course, China will take further action," Wen said during a speech to the Chinese-American community in New York Tuesday night.
The Chinese leader called the detention of the fishing boat captain "totally illegal" and said it was causing his family to suffer, The New York Times reported.
The fishing boat captain faces charges of obstructing officials for reportedly ramming Japanese naval vessels near several uninhabited islands controlled by Japan.
The fishing boat and crew have already been released.
UPI
