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BEIJING – As the diplomatic dispute between China and Japan grows, Beijing is finding itself torn between pacifying angry nationalists and holding a hard line toward its Asian rival.
The dispute was sparked over two weeks ago when a Chinese fishing boat collided with two Japanese patrol ships near uninhabited islands claimed by both nations, as well as Taiwan, in the East China Sea. Territorial disputes over the islands, which are said to be rich fishing grounds and may have oil and gas deposits, go back to the late 19th century.
MIKE CLARKE/AFP/Getty Images
A Hong Kong activist stands in front of a Chinese flag as a group of activists sets sail on Wednesday for the disputed island chain in the East China Sea, amid an escalating row between China and Japan over the territory.
After the latest incident, Japan arrested the Chinese boat’s captain on suspicion of deliberately ramming the Japanese vessels and has refused to release him.
The diplomatic scuffle extended to New York this week when China’s Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said he would not meet with Japanese leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations gathering.
But while Beijing continues to ratchet up the diplomatic dispute, there are concerns about revving-up too much anti-Japanese sentiment at home.
Anger spills into streets
Given historic enmity, anger over the territorial dispute has already started taken on a life of its own in China.
On Sept. 18, a day remembered as the anniversary the Japan’s invasion of China 79 years ago (an early event in the Sino-Japanese conflict that eventually lead to full-blown war in 1937), dozens of Chinese demonstrators rallied outside the Japanese Embassy in Beijing and marched to the Chinese foreign ministry.
The protesters carried banners and chanted nationalistic slogans like, "Japanese, get the hell out of Diaoyu Islands!" and “Boycott Japanese goods!”
In China, protests are technically legal, but only with police consent, which makes public demonstration a rare phenomenon. The last open mass protest happened in 2005, also against Japan on the same issue.
However, out of fear that any public protest could turn chaotic or veer into anti-government rhetoric, the Chinese authorities kept the demonstration low-key and police confiscated the protestors’ banners. The China Federation of Defending Diaoyu Islands, an association focusing on researching and protecting the territory rights of the islands, denied it was involved in the protest, but its website was quickly blocked.
‘Let’s stage a war against Japan!’
Still, the Chinese authorities have not been able to control the wave of anger against Japan that has spread across the Internet.
On the popular Strong Nation Forum hosted by the People’s Daily (one of China’s biggest official newspapers), the diplomatic dispute is the most viewed news event. It also has generated comments by legions of outraged Chinese Netizens – some even proposing war.
"Why is there no Chinese military stationed on the islands?" is a frequent question. It provokes answers like, "Let’s stage a war against Japan! I’ll sacrifice my life to protect our country’s dignity."
Some have expressed the wish that Chairman Mao was still alive, arguing that he would send out troops right away. Others have called for a boycott of Japanese products and a ban on tours to Japan. (Ironically, Japan recently claimed it would ease the visa application procedure for Chinese tourists, who have become the top consumers among travelers from all over the world).
‘Nationalism is very dangerous’
Still, given the history between China and Japan, there are fears that the nationalist fervor could become combustible.
"Nationalism is very dangerous. People do have the right to demonstrate, but nationalism is different from patriotism, especially when the war legacy still overhangs from World War II," said Victor Gao, a well-known commentator based in Beijing. "We do not need to sensationalize the situation, and there’s no need to throw out nationalism. This is not doing any good to either party, China or Japan."
Gao believes the capture and arrest of the fishing trawler captain has more to do with Japan’s domestic politics and was a gesture directed at its own people in the midst of another one of Japan’s frequent cabinet shuffles.
"If I was to advise the Japanese government, they could just use any humanitarian excuse to release the captain very soon. I don’t think anyone will gain anything from this. Neither wants to have a war."
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I have many Japanese and Chinese friends.,And warm feelings for both cultures. That having been said:I don't know how anyone could read "The Rape Of Nanking" and not take sides.
I've seen a documentary on that, and yes, you'd have to take sides.
Do you hate the Germans too?
and do you hate the USA because of what they did to the native Americans?
Would you also say that it is hard to read about the genocide and disenfrancisement of native americans and not take sides?
Judging people on the actions of their ancestors is for morons.
So you're going to take sides based upon what a country did over 70 years ago. Is that how we're going to judge a nation and it's people today? By your logic, we should open up and exploit the wounds inflicted on every culture throughout the history of mankind, including those inflicted on American Indians and Negro slaves. And to what purpose? To promote a grudge, and agitate for future conflict and war? This is the kind of Neanderthal thinking that will be the ultimate end of mankind.
I don't know about all that, but I certainly didn't mean it to that extent of the aggression you put it as (although it might have been directed at the first poster, but I too said to take sides). In anycase, I was along the line of taking sides upon which I believe has the better standing. IMO Japan can tell China to back off, China can't just claim all of the sea of that side as theirs. Any slight mentioning of Japan and the Chinese netizens get angry (but it's not always crazy, I know Ayumi Hamasaki is somewhat popular there).
我下車島 says the Chinese.
ないがそれは私の島です replies the Japanese.
Funny, bh, funny.
This is silly, over one man, no one was hurt or killed, let him go, and get back to talking about what to do about those islands, Japan should know how the Chinese feel. Considering the past.
Chinese "netizens" may love their country, but what they haven't figured out yet is that their country doesn't love them back. Something stupid like this is what's going to start world war 3. Just wait.
I love both "peoples" but the Japanese culture is racist at its core.
Source?
This isn't about one fishing boat accident. Specific events never start wars, they are only used to justify the wars.
kflann, This isn't about one fishing boat accident. Specific events never start wars, they are only used to justify the wars.
and they still haven't apologised for the Nanking massacre...in fact they deny it even though some Japanese soldiers gave accounts of it. Why in the world we let war criminal Hirohito go free is beyone comprehension.
You are categorically wrong. They have apologised many many times:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_war_apology_statements_issued_by_Japan
Put down the propaganda book of the dictatorial Dear Leader and use your brain.
Loud and ignorant people like you are the problem with the world.
It has been over 55 years since the Japanese did what they did to the Chinese. It is history, brutal sad history. Japan has apologized and done 'most' everything they can to appease the Chinese. You dont here Jews in Isreal (or anywhere else in the world) asking Germany for apologies and saber rattling like the Chinese do. China has taken over part of Katmandu, has taken control (forcefully) of Tibet (yes I know that there is historic presidence of them being in charge of the territory) which was indepentant at the time, and they continue to challenge Taiwan that they will invade them if they dont become part of China again. The crush their own people when they get out of line (Tiananmen Square comes to mind). The Chinese are the bullies in the world now folks. They have a lot of power and are wanting to flex their muscles a LOT. This territory is also claimed by Taiwan but you dont here them yelling for war with Japan, or China for that matter.
What Japan did is history, and the Chinese are continuing to throw it out there. Maybe rightfully so but let it go. Japan may be racist at its core BehrFacts but which culture isnt. Even in America where we are made up of all cultures, we are racist so that arguement is moot. And less.invasions.more.equations is right, something stupid will start WWIII. Hope this isnt it. I think America would end up taking Japans side if the Chinese started something. Heck, we would be able to wipe out all the money we owe China or we would end up being part of it. Thanks for listening.
I completely agree with your view on the situation. China knows that going to war with Japan will mean a war with the US. That would only end badly for the Chinese (not saying we won't suffer, but it'd be worse for China).
I have to wonder if the Isralis don't go after the Germans because they are doing the same to the Palistinians.
No, they don't. Not even close. Show me the massive concentration camps. Show me the crematoriums. Show me the gas chambers. Show me the mass graves holding thousands of bodies. Show me 6 million bodies. You're not a cynic, you're delusional, rabble rousing, and pathetic.
Sorry, your country China has little dignity to begin with. Tossing your life away for something that doesn't really exist in the first place seems kinda silly, yes? Your people toss away imperfect children like they are mutants and are not afraid to poison the environment on scales not seen anywhere else in the world. And now you are gonna get riled up over a few islands? Pathetic. I have little respect for any society that can't handle free-speech anyways.
Lets see... 7 months ago a small ship was cut in half by a Japanese whaler in the Antarctic ocean. Japan arrested the captain. brought him back to Japan for several months all along saying it was his fault. Now you have the Japanese again involved with another collision in the China Sea. And, again the captain has been arrested and brought back to Japan. There is always Two sides to a story but one thing is clear. Both collision's occurred over a food source. And Japans actions are very aggressive to whoever they see as a threat.
Why are you trying to mislead and lie. You completely mis-told the story.
The man was arrested after he illegally boarded the whaling ship at night carrying a knife, damaging the ship - all in some of the most dangerous waters in the world - the Antarctic.
He is also the same criminally-minded man who a repeatedly tried to disable the (completely legal) whaling ship in these incredible dangerous waters by trying to break the propellor. He should be in jail and you should stop trying to scaremonger about 'those evil aggressive japanese people'
The small boat placed itself INTENTIONALY in the path of the much larger Japanese vessel, in VIOLATION of Maritime Law. The smaller vessel did not sink until days later, when they were removing the engines from the damaged boat.
Prior to this the small boat had been engaged in actions to harass and trying to disable the larger vessel, endangering the vessel and the lives of its crew.
You are missing my point. That being in the year 2010 we know of two (2) incidents where Japan has had a collision with a vessel and on both cases the captain was arrested and taken to Japan for prosecution. I don’t know anyone that argues that Japan was in the Southern Ocean Whaling for Food. I don’t know how anyone could argue that Japan was preventing another country from fishing for food. BOTH COLLISIONS ARE A RESULT OF JAPAN PROTECTING A FOOD SUPPLY.
S. Henderson,
NO ONE was ARRESTED or taken to Japan due to the COLLISION in Antarctic waters.
The COLLISION was due to the small boat moving into the path of the larger vessel.
The person ARRESTED was a crewman that ILLEGALLY boarded the Japanese vessel and threatened Japanese crewmen.
The bottom line, China lost their claim to these islands during the Sino-Japanese War. The Chinese taught this in their PRC & ROC text books for 74+years until 1969. Then OIL was discovered around the islands, so the Chinese RE-WROTE their history books..
This incident and the reaction is about ACCESS to natural resources in a disputed area.
China has already stopped exporting rare earths/minerals to Japan. The material that modern electronics and cell phones need to operate.
AC Robertson
You make a strong and valid case. I see your point.
However, I take it that you feel that Japan is completely innocent in either of these two occurrences. And therefore bear no responsibility. As I gave the first collision little thought until the 2nd occurred and this time with two Japanese patrol ships. I cannot help but feel something has changed in Japan or at the least the Maritime of Japan. . These two patrol ships as they are called should be more maneuverable and therefore have easily out maneuvered any fishing vessel. Lastly how could a Chinese fishing vessel ram two Japanese patrol ships? My guess is both patrol ships must have been putting their selves in harms way by using aggressive tactics.
I like Chinese food better so I'm gonna have to side with the Chinese on this one.
Yeah, I'll take wonton soup over miso soup most of the time so I guess I'm with the chinese!
well clearly the presence of American military personnel are a problem here. As Japanese have been claiming for decades now. Let's leave and let them deal with China and Korea on their own. They are the 'superior' race, right? We'll just fall back to Hawaii and the Phillipines, just to respect your cultural dignity of course. Good luck guys, see ya, have fun.
Interesting how you've chosen to take this argument into another direction. I haven't heard Japan cry for help, have you?
I wonder what you, rrobeson, would say if 4 members of a Japanese military delagation visiting the United States decided to gang rape a 12 year old white american girl during their stay/visit? And then what would you say, if after apologies and apologies, another delagation visiting just a couple of years later did the exact same thing again?
Problem has never been the military presence, but the actions of a couple of criminals in our military, and our inability to control them.
We may all have our opinions, but let's not forget we don't know everything here. There's more than two sides to this story... there's the governing bodies, the citizens, the media, the fisherman, and us on the outside. I don't agree with China's method of governing, but sometimes Japan's at fault too. Let them sort it out, let's just try to keep things civil. I hope to hell war isn't on the minds of the governing bodies.
The issuses between the Japanese and Chinese have been there for decades. The Chinese will never forget the "Rape of Nan King''. I have lived in the Far East for many years and have friends both Chinese and Japanese and each has there own version of history. A few years back I was at lunch with four Japanese vendors...The younger two of the group told me that they attacked Pearl Harbor because the U.S. would not allow the Japanese to import cars to the U.S. I was dumbfounded by that statement, and these were men in their 30's. Bottom line is that both sides are going to make up whatever they need to justifiy there beliefs as do most countries.
This shows to what extent the japanese will go to cover up the truth. They know they did wrong but will not admit it, that's the problem there. Insult to injury, that's another reason why the japanese are not liked in asia.
1. Why are you lying? You are literally denying reality to make some anti-japanese point. Educate yourself or be quiet. Here is a comprehensive list of apologies made by Japan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_war_apology_statements_issued_by_Japan
2. Why do people like you accept and promote the propaganda of the repressive brutal dictators in communist China?
Robertelsie, your terse and blowhard way of talking only invites thoughts of ignorant training. Try not calling people liars until you know the facts; the word "fib" is gentler and may attract a better discussion.
Robertelsie, geez, need a nap? I was just replying to Kavika's comment because I do recall hearing something similar from a japanese foreign exchange student that I met.
Fair play, Durntootin. I was quite irritated. Point gratefully taken!
Why is everyone scared when China throws up there Flag and blows the horn to charge.
its unclear whose islands these are
therefore no one should be policing it...
let the captain go
There will be no war .They just hate each other but the Chinese are only doing jobs that the Japanese don't want to do .
After reading most of these comments, I hold out little hope for the world.
Following the Meiji Restoration, the Meiji Japanese government formally annexed what was known as the Ryukyu Kingdom as Okinawa Prefecture in 1879. The Diaoyu Islandsor the Senkaku Islands, which lie between Ryukyu Kingdomand Qing empire, became the Sino-Japanese boundary for the first time.
On 14 January 1895, during the Sino-Japanese War, Japan officially incorporated the islands under the administration of Okinawa. After China lost the war both countries signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki in April 1895 that stipulated, among other things, that China would cede to Japan "the island of Formosa together with all islands appertaining or belonging to said island of Formosa (Taiwan)".[25]
Significantly, in a 1959 court case in the United States, the US State Dept. was specifically quoted as maintaining that: " . . . that the sovereignty of Formosa has not been transferred to China . . . " and that "Formosa is not a part of China as a country, at least not as yet, and not until and unless appropriate treaties are hereafter entered into. Formosa may be said to be a territory or an area occupied and administered by the Government of the Republic of China, but is not officially recognized as being a part of the Republic of China."[7]
Therefore, neither Japan nor either government of China has sovereignty over Taiwan, and it is a separate sovereign state.
Diaoyu Islands or the Pinnacle Islands, but also claimed by both the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People's Republic of China as part of Taiwan Province, Toucheng Township in Yilan County since 1971. The United States controlled the islands as part of its occupation of Okinawa from 1945 to 1972.
In 1969, the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) indicated the possibility of large oil and gas reserves around the Senkaku Islands.[22]In the same year, the US expressed its intention to hand over Okinawa and its surrounding islands (including the Senkaku Islands), occupied since the end of World War II to Japan.[23]Until 1969, Senkaku islands had written as territory of Japan in the PRC & ROC text books.
The bottom line, China lost their claim to these islands during the Sino-Japanese War. The Chinese taught this in their PRC & ROC text books for 74+years until 1969. Then OIL was discovered around the islands, so the Chinese RE-WROTE their history books..
Oops i clicked the 'like' button accidentally when I meant to comment about some inconsistencies.
Since when did domestic (US court case) determine international boundaries and law? It appears from your account the islands were possibly chinese until the japanese took them by force and then lost ww2 and the status of the islands was left uncertain (though it naturally could be viewed to revert back to the original owner). And then you bring in domestic law as gospel to determine sovereignty?
Of course the US didn't recognize the islands as being PRC because it was totally antagonistic toward the PRC all the way up to not even recognizing it exists. By the time we relinquished control of Okinawa and associated islands, the PRC still didn't exist (to us) so of course we weren't going to respect their sovereignty over the islands. Regardless, our domestic views do not necessarily determine international law. This debate belongs with an international arbitrager.
This whole thing was started by a Chinese fishing boat that apparently rammed Japanese police vessels.
Frankly, I'm not surprised. Chinese fishing boats often seem to behave in an unruly manner.
I know that they often intrude into South Korean territorial waters and don't leave when told to do so by Korean maritime police, sometimes resisting fiercely when police officers try to board them.
Even if this incident happened in disputed waters, the Chinese captain shouldn't have behaved so aggressively toward the police vessels.
Japan should release the captain, but only after China extends some sort of an olive branch.
Also, the level of nationalism exhibited by the Chinese is truly scary. I realize that Japan committed many wrongs against China in the past and haven't repented for them in a satisfactory fashion, but for its own part, the Chinese government seems to do all it can to make sure that the Chinese people don't forget these wrongs, and also the wrongs done to China by other countries, even teaching young students a skewed, xenophobic view of history. Therefore, it's not surprising that Chinese, particularly young Chinese, are so nationalistic. I realize that the Chinese government does this in order to foster national unity, but it also tries to encourage the Chinese people to blame other countries, instead of their own government, for China's troubles. But the government should be really careful; this nationalistic fervor could get out of hand.
There won't be any war - not even close. It would not be in China's or Japan's interest. it is quite significant that the Chinese government wants to keep a lid on the whole nationalism thing. It's all the the usual diplomatic posturing so there's no need for anyone to get their panties in a knot.
China would get slam dunked in a military war with Japan.....in one with the US more so.
I can't say what would happen 20 years hence....China might beat both us and Japan
What a stupid fishman! Anyone who has a normal IQ will not sail into that trouble & sensitive waters, definitely not suddenly turn around and crash into the Japanese vessels! What was on his freaking mind! But now he is the national hero for the chinese people, and believe or not the chinese bloggers want to start a war with Japan because of that!
Everyone knows the Nanjing incident and the invasion of China by Japan, nowadays many Japanese are raising awareness of the Nanjing incident in Japan. But China never apologize to Korea for invading their country hundred years ago. In fact, many years ago there were as many as 6 countries in mainland China. Emperor Qing conquered them all and killed many people but he had never apologized.
China's extreme nationalism is going very high and their bloggers are out of control, swearing & cursing like some low or wrongly educated war machines. It is shocking to find almost everyone's opinion from the Chinese side are the same, this has proofed once again there isn't education but only brainwash straight from the central government since day one.
America had let go of the South-North civil war, Japan had made Hilosima and Nagasaki a thing of the past, otherwise these countries will not be partners today. But China educates their people about the war history extensively, and great hatred has been developed deep into people's hearts, since little age the Chinese people learnt the common enemies are USA, Japan, Britain, Germany, Italy etc,. all these western unions.
Chinese people never get the chance to see the world, neither able to make a comment from a world point of view. All they can do is to express hatred from the thick china walls locking them inside. They are still shouting blood for blood but in fact the Chinese killed more Chinese than anyone else.