In the face of the demonstrations, China has seen commentary in state-run media calling for “rational” patriotism. The Chinese Global Times urges China not to “Turn to the dark side.”
(Photo, left ,is current and ongoing)
Ownership of the islands dates back for centuries. Guo Xiangang, Deputy Director of the China Institute of International Studies, expressed the view, "There shouldn't be any discussion on Diaoyu Island [group]. It has always been a part of China. Japan, however, insists China lost its ownership when it lost the Sino-Japanese war in 1895. Japan sold the islands in 1932 to descendants of the original settlers. To further complicate the dispute, the United States took control of the Islands as part of Japan's surrender; later returning them, as we withdrew from Okinawa in 1972.
Tensions rose in August, when Japan witnessed Chinese nationals raising the Chinese flag on one of the islands. The Chinese were arrested. Similar flag raising incidents took place in 1990 and in 1996.
In 2010, a Chinese fishing trawler rammed a Japanese Coast Guard vessel patrolling the disputed area.
Photos: MSN, Google maps, KYODO News
Article comments
1 - Reitmen24
Due to lack of covering the most important evidence that is conclusive on this issue, This article is misleading and only justifies a series of China's violent acts for invasion.
China started making its claim on islands in 1971 for the first time. That's because there was a UN report of 1970 that suggested the existence of vast reserve of oil around this Japanese islets called Senkaku.
Until 1971, Chinese government insisted those islets had belonged to Japan by showing the fact on their map. Indeed, there is no history that those islets belonged to China before. After the UN report was publicized, China abruptly change its attitude and started an anti Japanese propaganda insisting those islets are impartial territories of China and one of their "core interests" like East Turkestan or Tibet, that China completed those invasions just several years before.
The dispute on this islets is an extension of a series of China's invasions of Asian countries, from East Turkestan, Tibet, South Mongolia, India, Manchuria, Bhutan, Vietnam, to the Philippines.
China is making every effort to complete its invasions of whole Asia by getting rid of US presence. That's why China puts a lot of energy in propaganda in the US. CNN should draw attention to this fact.
2 - Be Way
Reitman,
One advice for you, "Go back to school and study what is the difference between fact and accusation".
Your comment is full of factual errors that it's not even worth to read and reply.
3 - John Lake
There's seems to be some dissent aimed at my article. I had so many references that my tabs ran over.
Maybe the two cultures involved see things from alternative prospectives.
Yes, I have tabs.
4 - Hien
Well, China wants to face one "old enemy" at the time. Beside these islands (Senkaku) are not effecting China resources transport. If China win over Japan, China gains a lot mean temp down rumpling its social unrest, buy times to recover ecnomic, make Chinese's gov looks good in front its people, transfer power smoothly, etc...
Deal with East Sea VN, West Philippine Sea (South East Asia Sea} even these countries are small but China shows the "neck" for them to cut. China will be thursty.
All of problems China created for itself in South East Asia Sea. because the rope too tight it will be tear off by itself, make it loose to serve China purpose.
Vietnam and Philippine "always" be aware of China tactic "worms is slowly eat the leaves". Most the West including US do not understanding this trap by "Not involve dispute". This tactic also has been using by Israel to take Palestine's lands.
If you look around you in the airports or public places etc... the Westerners see a chair next to one person is empty they ask so they can sit. Chinese are not, they place their belonging first and look around then sit. If someone ask Chine will say this is my place.
This mentality apply everywhere in Chinese societies.
5 - Glenn Contrarian
Hien -
Good comment! That's a valuable insight into the Chinese mindset. We in the West (and especially in a nation as young as America) don't realize that China's been at this a lot longer than anyone else.