Shanghai prosecutors have approved the arrests of 16 suspects believed to have been involved in illegal actions in the anti-Japanese rally on April 16, authorities said yesterday. Another man has reportedly been detained in Nanjing for planning further actions for the May Day holiday.

"I regret my behavior very much," said Zhang Jianyong, a suspect from Hubei Province who allegedly climbed on top of a building and tossed stones and bottles at Japanese bars and shops, "I should not have broken the law."

An additional 26 people have been punished by being placed in short-term detention, officials said.

Some 20,000 Shanghai residents participated in anti-Japanese demonstrations across the city the weekend before last. While most participants were peaceful, some threw rocks and engaged in other destructive actions.

One suspect, Hunan Province native Li Bichun, allegedly threw beer bottles at Japanese restaurants and stores on Gubei Road in Changning District.

Among the other suspects was university physical education teacher Yin Xiufeng, accused of inciting others to break through a police line and damage signposts and bars on Xianxia Road in Changning District.

"I let down my university and my fellow teachers as well as my students," Yin said, "I hope others can learn a lesson from me."

The investigation into illegal behavior during the demonstration is continuing, police said, warning those involved to surrender themselves as soon as possible, and asking residents to provide information on those who had been violent.

The city's traffic authority will be placed on alert during the upcoming May Day holiday, focusing on densely populated areas such as main roads, commercial centers and transport stations, to respond to any emergency that arises, a local traffic official told Oriental TV news yesterday.

Police urged the public not to take part in illegal marches or demonstrations and not to encourage such activities through the internet or phone texting.

Police have also detained one person in Nanjing for allegedly trying to organize an anti-Japanese protest during the May Day holiday, the Yangzi Evening News reported yesterday.

The newspaper said the 20-year-old man used a popular chatroom to encourage demonstrations, and he also allegedly threatened to detonate car bombs during the protests.

(Shanghai Daily April 26, 2005)