Activists close to securing funds for voyage to the Diaoyus

Hong Kong activists say they are close to raising the cash required to fund an expedition to the Diaoyu Islands, aimed at demonstrating Chinese sovereignty over the disputed territory.

Or Wah, of the Action Committee for Defending the Diaoyu Islands, said the group had almost raised the $1.2 million to $1.3 million required to buy a vessel and finance the voyage, scheduled for the second half of next month.

The expedition is also planned as a protest against Tokyo's approval of a new history textbook, as well as to mark the 60th anniversary of Japan's surrender at the end of the second world war.

The committee would unveil details of the expedition over the next few days, Mr Or said.

In June 1998, Diaoyu activists from Hong Kong and Taiwan were forced to abandon their protest boat, the Diao Yu Tai, which sank off the islands after being rammed repeatedly by Japanese coastguard vessels.

Mr Or said the new boat would be slightly larger than the 100-tonne Diao Yu Tai, which made three voyages to the islands.