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It looks like China is starting to get aggressive anent the Japanese, and the Japanese seem to have taken a weak pose, as though intimidated by a bigger, stronger bully. This does not bode well for our future.
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Wednesday's intrusion by two Chinese ships into Japanese waters near the Senkaku Islands was timed to capitalize on the state of flux in Japan's politics, according to observers.
With the ruling Democratic Party of Japan occupied with preparations for selecting a new leader, China apparently believed the intrusion might not meet a strong political response from Tokyo.
At 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, about four hours after the two Chinese fishing patrol vessels entered Japanese waters, Administrative Vice Foreign Minister Kenichiro Sasae summoned Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua to the Foreign Ministry to lodge a protest.
"It is gravely serious and deplorable that despite warnings from Japan, Chinese government ships entered Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands," Sasae reportedly told Cheng.
Cheng said he would report the protest to Beijing immediately, but insisted the islands are part of China's territory.
Chinese fishing patrol vessels have been maintaining a presence near the islets since Sept. 7, when a Chinese trawler collided with Japan Coast Guard vessels in the area.
Since then, Chinese boats have entered Japan's contiguous zone--a 22-kilometer strip of water extending from the outer edge of this nation's territorial waters--12 times.
However, the latest incident is the first in which Chinese ships have actually entered Japanese territorial waters.
On previous occasions, the Chinese vessels responded to JCG warnings via radio, but on Wednesday the Chinese crew displayed an electric bulletin board with the message, "We are conducting legitimate activities in Chinese waters in accordance with the law."
"China obviously has taken things a step further," a source close to the Foreign Ministry said. "China has clearly shown that it is determined not to compromise on the territorial issue."
A senior JCG official echoed similar concerns, saying, "I get the impression that China has really toughened up its attitude."
-- LJ/News
_ _ _
Wednesday's intrusion by two Chinese ships into Japanese waters near the Senkaku Islands was timed to capitalize on the state of flux in Japan's politics, according to observers.
With the ruling Democratic Party of Japan occupied with preparations for selecting a new leader, China apparently believed the intrusion might not meet a strong political response from Tokyo.
At 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, about four hours after the two Chinese fishing patrol vessels entered Japanese waters, Administrative Vice Foreign Minister Kenichiro Sasae summoned Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua to the Foreign Ministry to lodge a protest.
"It is gravely serious and deplorable that despite warnings from Japan, Chinese government ships entered Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands," Sasae reportedly told Cheng.
Cheng said he would report the protest to Beijing immediately, but insisted the islands are part of China's territory.
Chinese fishing patrol vessels have been maintaining a presence near the islets since Sept. 7, when a Chinese trawler collided with Japan Coast Guard vessels in the area.
Since then, Chinese boats have entered Japan's contiguous zone--a 22-kilometer strip of water extending from the outer edge of this nation's territorial waters--12 times.
However, the latest incident is the first in which Chinese ships have actually entered Japanese territorial waters.
On previous occasions, the Chinese vessels responded to JCG warnings via radio, but on Wednesday the Chinese crew displayed an electric bulletin board with the message, "We are conducting legitimate activities in Chinese waters in accordance with the law."
"China obviously has taken things a step further," a source close to the Foreign Ministry said. "China has clearly shown that it is determined not to compromise on the territorial issue."
A senior JCG official echoed similar concerns, saying, "I get the impression that China has really toughened up its attitude."
-- LJ/News
