A Japanese coast guard vessel releases black smoke at a boat carrying Taiwanese activists attempting to reach disputed islands in the South China Sea.<br/> <br />Tension over the islands, known as Senkaku in Japan, Diaoyu in China and Diaoyutai in Taiwan have soared in recent months.<br/> <br />A fishing boat with four activists on board left Taiwan early on Thursday morning, escorted by Taiwanese coast guards.<br/> <br />One of the vessels displayed a sign which stated Taiwan's territorial claim.<br/> <br />The Japanese coast guards met the boats when they were 32 kilometres from the disputed islands, and turned them back.
