1.
GV & SV Demonstrators march through streets of Hong Kong with banners and flags (4 shots)
0.26

2.
GV & V PAN Demonstrators approach Japanese embassy and TILT UP building
0.40

3.
MV Demonstrators march with banners
0.45

4.
SV Onlooker
0.46

5.
GV & SV Demonstrators marching with banners (2 shots)
0.54

6.
GV PAN Demonstrators arrive at U.S. embassy (2 shots)
1.10

7.
SV Leader speaks through megaphone beneath U.S. emblem
1.12

8.
GV PAN Demonstrators listen as leader addresses crowd
1.20



Initials BB/1740 RPM/AC/BB/1800



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A big student demonstration was held in Hong Kong last Saturday (13 May) to protest the United States return of the Sankaku Islands to Japan.

The Senkakus, part of the reversion package which includes Okinawa, were handed over to Japan on Monday (15 May).

The eight uninhabited but possible oil-rich islets are claimed by both the People's Republic of china and Taiwan.

The students, who marched without permits, said the islands belonged to China which should therefore have some any in their future.

Despite the march ban, police allowed the protestors to demonstrate in front of the U.S. and Japanese embassies, where they handed in notes opposing the actions of both countries. The demonstration ended peacefully and police made no arrests.

SYNOPSIS: The demonstration took place despite a ban on the march by police authorities. The students, first target was the Japanese Embassy. They believe the islands belong to China, and say that the country should have a say in their future.

Japan says it incorporated the Senkakus into its territory in 1895 after careful checks that they were not claimed by China. Taiwan claims the islands are part of the territory, and in 1970 announced plans to develop oil resources believed to lie under the continental shelf around the Senkaku. These plans were put off because of the territorial dispute with Japan.

At the U.S. Embassy the students handed over a note of protest. The demonstration ended peacefully, and police made no arrests.