Officially, the little Japanese flotilla that mustered off the remote Senkaku Islands last weekend was there as a training opportunity for would-be fishermen.
But the nationalist activists in 14 fishing and diving boats made no secret of their real intention: asserting sovereignty over a disputed archipelago that has become one of the most dangerous diplomatic flashpoints in east Asia.
Every boat sailed under the large red sun flag of Japan. Some were draped in martial slogans: “Chinese invasion of the Senkaku Islands will not be permitted!” read one banner. The small boats formed for a single-file sail-by as proudly as parading battleships.
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