Japan's navy has not been invited to join an international flotilla of warships taking part in a ceremonial event in China, the latest snub in a row between Asia's two largest economies.
The international fleet review, being held to mark the 65th anniversary of the Chinese navy, will see warships take part in a sail-past off the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao next month, according to Japanese media reports.
"We have not received an invitation," a spokesman for Japan's Marine Self-Defense Force (MSDF) told AFP.
Japanese media speculated that Beijing's move was intended to punish Tokyo, with relations mired in acrimony over historical differences and a territorial dispute.
The Nikkei business daily reported that Washington was considering boycotting the event to show its displeasure with China.
"We are prepared to participate in the fleet review and prepared to send our escort ship if we are invited," the Japanese official said. He added Japan had not been invited to a similar gathering hosted by China five years ago.
The move comes ahead of a visit to China and Japan this week by Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel after he hosts a meeting of Asian defense ministers in Hawaii from Tuesday to Thursday.
While Japan appears to have been left off the guest list for the fleet review, it has been invited to a naval symposium that is being held in Qingdao at the same time, involving top naval officials from more than 20 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Japan has not yet decided whether to send MSDF chief of staff Katsutoshi Kawano, the official said.
© (c) 2014 AFP
26 Comments
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Magnus Roe
Why would Japan (or anyone for that matter) want to send ships to China for what will no doubt be scrutinizing and military espionage under the sham of "celebrating" one of the largest threats to stability in the region, anyway?
hatsoff
Agreed, Magnus. Which country worth its dignity would want to take part in this propoganda strut?
Altruist777
Japan should be pleased to not have been invited by China.
taj
Who has been invited? Philippines? Vietnam? Malaysia?
Green Panda
Thanks China for doing Japan a favor. They can use the yen and use it on something stupid like give the money to Palestinians or the Ukraine instead of paying off more debt.
smithinjapan
I'm sure Japan will recover.
oldman_13
Wow this will be so devastating to the psyche of the entire Japanese nation, not being invited to such a world renowned and prestigious event in China.
Not.
EthanWilber
Here is a paradox of Xi’s Gov; on the one hand, it has been gaining clout and sharing spotlight with the US on the international theater from economic to military might, yet at the same time, it can’t help but act like an immature teenager when it comes to Japan’s affair (trying to degrade Japan at any opportunity given)
Well, on the other hand, that could be the part of the “paybacks” to Abe’s Yasukuni Shrine visit.
It’s only when both Japan and China stop playing the game, “gotcha”, then they can build mutual trust, otherwise such childish games will continue and lead nowhere.
intlobserver
Snubbing is one of the typical childish behaviors any kid shows until it's truly grown up.
ReformedBasher
Not sure whether to laugh or feel sorry.
Badge213
At the same time, Japanese Defense Force aircraft are in the Indian Ocean assisting in the search for Malaysia Airlines 370, of which the majority of passengers were Chinese.
Louis Tan
Why would anyone want to invite a hooligan to a party? Expect to be invited? Think again.
noriyosan73
The whole ceremony is just sabre-rattling by China. Look world, and beware!
gelendestrasse
I can't imagine why anybody would want to attend a celebration of the military of a repressive state.....
Fox Cloud Lelean
It's probably for the best. We wouldn't want China to see what an actual warship looks like. Let them flaunt their floating rust buckets while the rest of the world stifles laughter.
WilliB
Japan should stay away from that Chinese propaganda stunt anway, and instead build some defense installations on the Senkakus. It will will need them.
Fukuppy
It's like not inviting someone you don't like to a party. Who cares?
sfjp330
Yes China will keep demanding to every country that they come face to face with. The international attractiveness of a China’s foreign policy, political values and culture, is recognized by China as a key political commodity, but do you ever wonder why your country China has had limited success in cultivating? What China needs to do is intensify efforts to be seen as a responsible, peaceful power and match this rhetoric with actions.
Despite the economic power of China, even two decades from now, the U.S. is the only country able to pull together coalitions and mobilize efforts to deal with global challenges. China isn't going to replace the U.S. on a global level. China recognizes that it cannot play that role of organizing across regions and across state boundaries.
Kobuta Chan
It'll save millions dollars tax payers' money anyway.
MGigante
This is kind of petty of China.
I hope the US protests this slight by not attending (which was hinted at by US officials), as well.
Michael Barnard
One Japanese warship could take out their parade.
ka_chan
but Japan doesn't have a navy.
flowers
OK, blame it on China again. Maybe the invitation just got lost in the mail, who knows. I really don’t understand why would this be news when “Japan had not been invited to a similar gathering hosted by China five years ago”? So, was there an expectation to be invited? If this is a kind of snub at Japan, why would China invite Japan to a naval symposium that is being held in Qingdao at the same time? Maybe, this is the only way Japan knows how to get invited.
taj
Considering that China is in territorial disputes with Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, etc. as well as Japan, I'd imagine their list of invitees is pretty short when it comes to neighbors.
ReformedBasher
The article says more than 20 countries but you have to wonder. This would be a good chance for all countries bulled by China to unite and not bother showing up. It's certainly not in their interest. China can console itself with just the Best Korea navy.
nandakandamanda
Even if they did get invited, it would probably be a game of whose ship is bigger and more modern? Choice of ship could be a nightmare. A bit like comparing party dresses. No, stay home and save the fuel oil.