Chinese protest at Japanese embassy in The Hague

Around 500 Chinese protested at the Japanese embassy in The Hague on Wednesday against Japan's claim on the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea.

The demonstrators waved Chinese flags and walked from Malieveld Park in the center of the city to the Japanese embassy. A protest letter was handed to an embassy employee, who promised that the letter would be forwarded to the Japanese government in Tokyo.

The demonstration was organized by more than 20 Chinese groups in the Netherlands. Among the protesters were Chinese who have been living in the Netherlands for a long time, as well as Chinese students. They showed their disagreement with the Japanese claim on the islands.

Leading the procession was a banner displaying the text: "Diaoyu Islands are part of China. We strongly oppose the Japanese government to buy the Diaoyu Islands."

The demonstration lasted about two hours. The two main Dutch TV stations RTL and NOS were present to cover the protest.

Overseas Chinese in various countries, including Italy, Switzerland, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Zambia, on Tuesday staged protests against the Japanese government's so-called "purchase" of China's Diaoyu Islands.

The Japanese government announced the "purchase" of Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands on Sept. 11 despite China's strong opposition and warnings.