TOKYO: A diplomat of the Japanese Embassy in Beijing was detained in the city temporarily by Chinese authorities, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

Takeo Mori, vice foreign minister, summoned Yang Yu, charge d’affaires ad interim at the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo, and lodged a strong protest.

Mori demanded China’s apology and action to prevent a recurrence, complaining that the move violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which stipulates the inviolability of diplomats.

Yang promised to report to Beijing.

According to the ministry, the diplomat was detained Monday afternoon during official duty in Beijing.

The diplomat was detained for several hours despite disclosing the profession to the authorities. The ministry says that the diplomat was engaged in legitimate work.

In 2002, a Japanese defense attache was detained by Chinese authorities for 13 hours. A ministry source said such a detention had not happened in China recently.

JIJI Press