China indignant at Japanese right-wing attack on Consulate General in Osaka

A large vehicle belonging to a Japanese right-wing group rammed the front gate of the Chinese Consulate General in Osaka early Friday, but no one was injured in the event, according to the Chinese Embassy.

The ram at about 3:35 a.m.(1835 GMT) set fire to the vehicle and badly damaged the gate, said Huang Xingyuan, a spokesman of the Chinese Embassy.

The consulate has lodged a solemn representation to Japan and asked for a prompt and thorough investigation, he said.

He commented that this is the most serious event committed by Japanese right-wing groups against the Chinese diplomatic facilities since the normalization of diplomatic relations betweenthe two countries in 1972.

Police said the perpetrator is a man who belongs to a Japanese right-wing group.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda has apologized to the Chinese ambassador to Japan over the event, said Huang Xingyuan, information counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Japan. Japanese police has arrested the perpetrator.

A bus belonging to a Japanese right-wing group crashed into the front gate of the Chinese consulate in Osaka, western Japan April 23, 2004. The man ramming the bus into the consulate has been arrested by Japanese police. Japanese cabinet secretary apologized for this. [Chinadaily/Reuters]

The photo taken on April 23, 2004 shows a large vehicle belonging to a Japanese right-wing group after it rammed the front gate of the Chinese Consulate General in Osaka, Japan, April 23, 2004. (Xinhua photo)

The photo taken on April 23, 2004 shows a large vehicle (L) belonging to a Japanese right-wing group after it rammed the front gate of the Chinese Consulate General in Osaka, Japan, April 23, 2004.(Xinhua photo)

The photo taken on April 23, 2004 shows the front gate of the Chinese Consulate General in Osaka, Japan, damaged in a ramming by a large vehicle belonging to a Japanese right-wing group on April 23, 2004. (Xinhua photo)

A large vehicle belonging to a Japanese right-wing group rams the front gate of the Chinese Consulate General in Osaka. (CRI)

Zhao Dawei (left), of the Chinese Consulate General in Osaka, talks with Japanese police officers outside the consulate about the accident. (China Daily/sina)

By People's Daily Online