Seven of the 14 Chinese activists illegally detained by Japanese police for landing on one of the Diaoyu islands have arrived in Hong Kong. The other seven have boarded the vessel Kai Fung No 2, and are expected to arrive in Hong Kong Saturday morning.

At around 8pm local time Friday, seven detained Chinese activists arrived at Hong Kong International Airport after an hour’s flight from Naha airport in southwest Japan.

Meanwhile, the trip back for the other seven detained Chinese began on Kai Fung No. 2, after they fixed the damage caused by Japanese water cannons. They are due to arrive in Hong Kong Saturday morning.

On August 12th, the boat carrying activists from Hong Kong, Macao and Shenzhen, set off from Hong Kong, arriving at the Diaoyu Islands on Wednesday.

Several Japanese warships were waiting for them in the area and one used water cannons against the vessel.

Undeterred, the activists landed and planted Chinese national flags on the island.

Soon after, all 14 activists were arrested by Japanese police.

China lodged solemn representations to the Japanese side, demanding the unconditional and immediate release of the Chinese nationals.