Japanese prosecutors on Friday decided to release the Chinese fishing boat captain whose detention in disputed waters of the East China Sea had sparked the worst diplomatic row between Tokyo and Beijing in years.
The release of captain Zhan Qixiong is set to ease short-term frictions between the often- fractious neighbours, but immediately exposed Japanese authorities to accusations that they had buckled in the face of pressure from Beijing.
Chinese leaders had repeatedly demanded the release of Mr Zhan, who was detained after a clash with Japanese coastguard vessels near a contested island group.
您已阅读23%（602字），剩余77%（2011字）包含更多重要信息，订阅以继续探索完整内容，并享受更多专属服务。