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© 2012 AFPChina flexes muscles with drills in East China Sea
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© 2012 AFP
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OssanAmerica
Looks like China has made the US-Japan excercises a definite. Good job.
CoreyL
LOL. I think it is more probable that Japan would invade China than China would invade Japan. Just look at history...
Herve Nmn L'Eisa
Practice, practice, practice, play. Before long there may come sanctions.
waltery
War games = brinkmanship. How far do these people have to go before the people's taxes and politcal patience runs out. Go down the pub and have a beer you lot!
OssanAmerica
Article 9 of the Japanese constitution prohibits the use of military force to settle diplomatic disputes. Therefore it is impossible for Japan to invade anybody. China on the other hand....
Ryu-1inOH
On the other hand China stole the Spratlys, Paracels and was trying to steal Scarborough Shoal from Vietnam and the Philippines. And I heard even some rocks from South Korea. All of that within the last few years. Amazing how some people have selective memory
semperfi
The other important piece to consider is the quality & age of China's naval fleet - - their ships are old from Russia . . .............................In a real conflict with USA, it would not no contest. -----------------------HOWEVER, the ace in China's hand is (1) it has the man power (2) It has the WILL to control all Asia - -
tkoind2
CoreyL. That thinking does not mesh with the political and social realities of Japan over the past 60 years. There are no indications of any kind that Japan has intentions to invade anyone. Further there has been no indication that Japan is threatening or bullying anyone in Asia.
China, on the other hand, has systematically expanded over the past 60 years including invading many of her neighboring regions. China has repressed and bullied these invaded regions as well. China threatens Taiwan and has done so for several decades. China has been actively bullying the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan over territories that it has no real claim over.
So if you want history to guide your conclusions, you clearly need to spend more time studying it, as your conclusing that Japan's history indicates an invasion of China, just simply does not hold water at all.
tokyo-star
Japan should work together with the Philippines, Vietnam to create some kind of Co-prosperity Sphere and keep China hemmed in....oh wait, they tried that some 70-odd years ago....
Either way, Japan today is not militaristic Japan of yesteryear. China is needs to get off its high horse and realize they are hated around the world. I think we will see China collapse internally in our lifetime as the middle class increases and demands for more freedom. China will split into multiple states like all the xxx-stans after the collapse of soviet Russia.
Ryu-1inOH
Next step is to practice altogether: China practices taking one island and Japan and the US practice taking it back. How about that...
T-Mack
These drill's or exercise's are needed to remind china just how important it is to be ready. Chance favor's the prepared mind. Prepare for success or war or death! I love sushi over moo goo gai pan! Right Now! The U.S. navy is on general alert. Prepare to have some bitten tounge, with blood in your mouth, China loose this non-sense!!!! before it's too late!!!!
KariHaruka
Well now China no longer has a leg to stand on when they try to bitch and moan about Japan doing naval exercises as well. They need to realize that there isn't such a thing as 1 rule for China and another rule for everyone else.
Bgood41
Just another bully tactic by a very peaceful communist China after Tibet has been dominated and culture cleansing under internal matter version of China.
basroil
CoreyLOct. 19, 2012 - 07:37AM JST
1274, 1281, 1293 were all invasions of Japan by China, and China has since invaded every country around it including itself (Taiwan).
These "drills" are likely to be conducted at sea and some islands... question remains if China will conduct the drills on Senkaku and force everyone's hand.
Bgood41
It would be better if communist China picks better target for military exercises that include the business of Japanese companies which rushing to make money and trusted China as a good partner of Japan (It is a case of lacking the critical thinking). Please do not miscalculating again for the sake of profits! Cheers.
noriyosan73
It is their sea so Japan needs to conduct the same in the Sea of Japan. Tit for tat.
Virtuoso
This is a lame description of what's been happening over the past month. It should have said China declared de facto economic war on Japan, giving the green light on mobs to trash Japanese-owned factories and retail businesses and attack individuals, and refusing to issue new business visas to Japanese.
antolop111
[Article 9 of the Japanese constitution prohibits the use of military force to settle diplomatic disputes. Therefore it is impossible for Japan to invade anybody. China on the other hand....]
It's possible..........it can revise anytime..........That is why Japan stole China Diaoyutai first then will use military force later. That is part of education that Japanese should be educated.........Next it will be Dokdo then Kuril's.
centrist35
China has absolute advantage over japan on ballistic missile, According to United States Naval Institute, The DF-21D is capable of destroying the US carrier in one single hit. Also according Sohu, China could easily rain tons of ballistic missiles at Japan defense network in time of conflict. An all out war would not be the best interest for all nations involved (Especially Japan). The Japanese Right wingers who think they can win a war against China in a decisive fashion, they are only partially right, localized limited war on sea & island, Maybe, All out war, everyone gonna get hurt.
If I'm Japanese PM, I would go back to the previous status quo.
yosun
Sorry, your information is wrong:
These islands transferred to ROC(taiwan) from JP after WWII due to "Treaty of Taipei signned in 1952.4.28" which stated, Japan has renounced all right, title and claim to Taiwan (Formosa) and Penghu(the Pescadores) as well as the Spratly Islands and the Paracel Islands... all treaties, conventions and agreements concluded before December 9, 1941, between China and Japan have become null and void as a consequence of the war.
ROC still occupied better islands(bigger ones and fresh water available ones), anyway, Vietnam and Philipine stole some ones from ROC who legally owns those island.Ryu-1inOH
Sure! So if all of those islands were 'stolen' from China which owns them ';legally' then there is no need to use military power - or underhanded tactics like stirring your brainwashed mobs up - to assert your ownership right? All you have to do is present the case to the ICJ? It's easier to brainwash your own people than the rest of the world.
centrist35
Those mobs who smashed cars and shops were reported to be local gangsters who happened to be ultra nationalists. They were apprehended by the police later on. They do not represent the rest of the Mainlanders. I have to admit the Japanese Right Wingers are more civilized and peaceful than the crazy Chinese mobs.
Moderator
Back on topic please.
Ryu-1inOH
centrist35:
I am more than willing to believe than they did not represent the majority of the population. I am less ready to believe the Chinese government cracked down on them - can't be that naive.
centrist35
Ryu-1inOH, Do you see anymore more mass violent demonstration recently? There were news articles ( U can call it propaganda) purposely released to all Chinese news site to denounce such act as uncivilized & counterproductive. So The Chinese government wanted to crack down them for sure.
Athletes
basroilOct. 19, 2012 - 11:15AM JST
In my knowledge, China was a loser of almost every wars to neighbors. For example China was a colony of Mongul empire for many hundred years. 1274, 1281, 1293 were Mogul empire invasion of neighbors. Their base is Beijing which is closer to sea. Something like Okinawa air base is not Japanese one. Not the Han kingdom of old China flexed their muscle. It is also true for China was a colony of Manchuria for a few hundred years.
Later on China lost the war the Britain for opinion war. Later on they lost the Sino Japanese war. They have signed many treaties with foreign nations for concession of trade and sea ports. Shanghai has many foreign residential area such as French concession, Japanese territory! China was a sick man of Asia and it was too weak to bully the neighbors. The whole nation was addicted with opinion let alone carrying the gun.
Tibet and Uyghur were trophy of Mongul expansion. Something like new Mexico, Taxas and Arizona were belong to someone else before. Only China invaded Vietnam in 1979. According the Sino Vietnamese war Wiki, Vietnam invaded Cambodia in 1978 with support of USSR. It was likely they will expand their invasion beyond Cambodia. For protecting Thai for not becoming domino of Cambodia, PRC briefly entered Vietnam. However they were not successful for kicking off Vietnam from Cambodia.
According Coreyl post, China was a victim not the aggressor in history. It has right to make herself stronger for not to be bullied by anyone.
CoreyL
Article 9 of the Japanese constitution prohibits the use of military force to settle diplomatic disputes. Therefore it is impossible for Japan to invade anybody. China on the other hand....
So basically Japan is prohibited by a law IMPOSED on them that states that they cannot invade another country. That doesn't really reflect how the people really think...
basroil
You have to be kidding. China refers to that period when discussing Senkaku, and thus they clearly can't claim to be victims if they want to keep all the territory the mongols had originally conquered or discovered.
Tibet wasn't only mongol expansion, it was a free country until 1951, and before 1913 they were under the Qing dynasty ("china") but had only been so since the 1720s when the chinese invaded Tibet under the pretense of "bringing freedom". The han/qing chinese invaded a mongol area, hardly a "victim".
Hell, the only government that could have any legal claim to the islands is Taiwan's original government, which was taken over by the communists from the mainland. They should not be allowed to make more aggressions like they have been since the communist revolution.
CoreyL
First of all, China is not a communist state, a true communist state has never existed in China. Second of all, it is a fallacy, ad hominem, to attack a single party state of claiming territory (that could be theirs). And according to basroil's logic, it seems that only Japan's pre-WWII government can claim the islands because that is the "original government".
yosun
Taiwan requested JP to go to ICJ for sorting out Diayu issue but JP refused.
BTW, it's a free place where everyone can present opinions. However, anyone's improper words might influence others' impression to his country, FYR.
Zenpun
@basroil
According the logic, China should give up Tibet. How about US also give up Some territory to native American? How about Taxas, Arizona to Mexico? New York was bought with one dollar from native. If we concern about inflation, they should get it more! Russia also grabbed a lot of land they should give up too. The world will be back to normal. Senkaku issue has been exiisted for many decades ago. Before Taiwan proposed both PRC and Japan for sharing fish and resources. They agreed unofficially before and there were no noise. Since Current J government flex the muscle, everything become inflammable.
It is true PRC is immature and noisy however IT TAKES TWO TO DANCE TANGO! Taiwan is also angry about Japan new protocol of fishing rights. Fish have no passport and identity as Japanese. After all they are bullied by neighbor in their own backyard. Japan has no friend left among the neighbors.
Ryu-1inOH
You seem to be so concerned about what 'other's might think of China but do you realize that the PRC's acts speak louder than anyone's words. Take a quick look at this article for cross reference
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443537404577578953575891264.html
Qwerty2012
How about practicing what you preach? Japan shouldn't "bitch and moan" about China conducting naval exercises since it does the same more frequently than China. They need to realize that there isn't such a thing as 1 rule for Japan and another rule for everyone else.
tkoind2
Ok, now how about some reality checks after all this?
China's economic growth is entirely dependent upon having clients to sell their labor and products to. That includes Japan and the US. What does that tell us? It tells us very clearly that China cannot engage in a war in Asia without essentially committing economic suicide. War would mean and end to Chinese dreams of prosperity.The only problem here is that China's stirring up of nationalism may force their hands to initiate a conflict if they are not careful.
Japan cannot and will not initiate a war. It does not matter what weapons they have or what support they have. It is not in their interests to start a war and they do not want one.
The US would not initiate a war with China. It is bad for business and let's face facts, if a war in not "good" for business, the US will not be involved unless given no other choice.The main risk of war today is the potential for an accidental kick off of conflict.
CoreyL
Economics goes both ways... if China goes under because of war, then Japan, SK and NK goes under as well, so all dreams of prosperity would end, not just China's.
China isn't going to go to war for some islands. In fact China has succeeded in gaining support from Taiwan, and to a certain degree, stirred up some old "business" between SK and Japan. The amount of support for both Japan and China is basically at equilibrium. I've seen japanese actresses as well as british journalists support the Chinese claim. On top of that. China is playing the "economic" card, which seems to have some effect. Soon that will spread to Korea and even Taiwan. Japan's negotiation with Taiwan for fishing rights also seems to be some kind of "weakness".
Basically, the Chinese are taking this nice and slow and tearing down the all brick by brick...
Ryu-1inOH
Of course China won't engage in a military conflict of equals or against an enemy superior in strength. No one would doubt that. As for the old business between SK and Japan, notice they've also stirred some old business between them and SK (http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/09/26/2012092601283.html). And I need to wonder whether Taiwan realize that they're toast if the PRC have their way in the Senkaku issue. And again, the economic card is a double edged one isn't it. Japan is seeing the short term effects but medium to long term ones will be felt on the Chinese side. Wait a few months and look at all indicators again. Now do you believe that these issues will be resolved based on what some actresses or British (ugh) journalists think?
CoreyL
I feel that if anyone, PRC would rather have ROC have the Senkaku/Daiyu than Japan, after all China does "acknowledge" that ROC is part of China. It is also interesting to note that it was japanese and ROC ships that had the first actual conflict between gov't vessels a few weeks back with the water cannon fight. SK would probably not directly support China , but their role is to divert some of Japan's attention towards Dokdo/Takeshima. SK could also support the japanese resentment. Basically, it is kinda like a two-front war that japan is facing. Many of its neighbors aren't really supporting japan so they will have to go international. China already went "international" with the news papers with some refuting chinese and some supporting chinese claims.
Early indicators do show japanese firms suffering economically, withe sales plunging in China as well as airplane tickets and tourism. Taiwanese trips to japan has also lessened because of fear of conflict. Korea seems to be an attractive place for taiwanese and Chinese tourists.
The economic "war" is basically a war of attrition. Will China lose more or will Japan lose more, until one side decides to give up?
Akemi Mokoto
China is REALLY starting to piss me off now.
Qwerty2012
I wonder WHY is it that when the US-Japanese navies conduct naval exercises the headline is not "US & JAPAN FLEX MUSCLES IN MILITARY DRILLS"?
Resurfaced
China has to do this for show if not their own countrymen will throw another hissy-fit. They will not dare throw a single missile because they won't benefit from that action. Too many other allies are watching and waiting. For there's already destroyers and capabilities all over Asia waiting for that day IF it came. Their missiles won't reach Japan's mainland. If one does that will give Japan the right to open their arsenal (not to mention the US) and that is something that China would not like to have on their plate.
Qwerty2012
This has a familiar ring - First, name China a THREAT, then the US locates 60% of its Navy to Asia-Pacific, conducts countless naval drills with Japan, Australia, S Korea, etc. off China's coast, and when China responds with its own naval exercises to show it is able to defend itself, points to these exercises as confirmation of the original THREAT. Rinse and repeat.
Flyfalcon
There is no headline as US flexs muscle or Japan flexs muscle or Russia flexs muscle in JT before.China has only one air craft carrier and not fully ready for combat yet. It should be changed the headline as "Bashing skinny China not to mess with us or else".
OssanAmerica
The U.S. imposed this on Japan at the end of WWII as an alternative to charging the Emperor as a war criminal. Some of the Allied powers wanted to do so, but the U.S, felt that keeping tghe Emperor in place and protected was necessaary to maintain civil order, a crucial element in not allowing the USSR to project their influence at best and invade Japan at worst., However by 1950 the United States regretted this decision and has to this date continued to pressure Japan to amend Article 9.The U.S. was succesful in gettting Japan to form the JSDF as an offshoot of the National Police Force in order to circumvent Article 9. But Japan took Article 9 to heart completely and has yet to agree to amend it or to agree to collective defense. This is clear and irrefutable evidence that "this is how they think". Right now China isa doing a fantastic job of pushing Japan into accepting the U.S, position and accomplishing what we have not been able to do for 60 years. Xie Xie as they say.
michikokada
Oh relax, it's just routine, if it wasn't routine, it will get into routine, expect many more, so better to label it neutrally: Chinese navy drills in East China Sea - less biased, demonstrates more professionalism in news reporting and no need to have a headache the next time for a title of the same routine exercise, just number it, like what the Ministry of Defense does :)
OssanAmerica
There already is a strategic alliance headed by the United States which includes Japan, Australia, South Korea, Philipines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singaore, India which is made up of nations who are concerned about China's military threat. There are also other countries that care bound by collective agreements as well.
Indeed they are.
JoeBigs
it's 1890 all over again and China believes it's a superpower.
You know Saddam thought the same thing when he thought he has the greeen light to invade Kuwait.
That did not turn out so good for him or his brood.
Cold is not a great place to be when you discover you were wrong.
Qwerty2012
Sounds like the infamous 8-country alliance that carved up and colonized China in the 1800s.
Qwerty2012
No, it's the US that is doing a fantastic job since its "pivot to Asia-Pacific".
JoeBigs
Simple answer, make silly nations think that they stand a chance.
The PRC just does not get it, it is playing a game that and it has already lost.
The only people that do not see it are the folks lost in the propaganda,
The dowager queen was in the same place before she was forced to swallow that pill.
Saketown
"Yawn"
Soviet Era "Tin Can" Destroyers, Soviet Era Aircraft Carriers (that have no aircraft), and a flotilla of Fishing Boats manned by Drunk Smelly Fishermen.
The Oysters I ate last night have more muscle than China's "Tin Can" Fleet.
China needs to focus on making my iPhone 5 and leave the Real Maritime Sea Power to THE UNITED STATES NAVY!!!!
Open Minded
The prerequisite for peace and democracy: the so-called elites must give up with their ego!
Open Minded
Saketown: either you are sarcastic and I love it or ... (I will not say it to keep my post alive).
Serrano
Some day the Chinese will move into the vacated U.S. bases in Okinawa.
OssanAmerica
Not at all. In the 1800s the other nations were imperialist colonial powers were the aggressors taking advantage of a weak and backwards Qing Dynasty. Today the other nations are democracies* seeking to defend themselves and it is China that is an Authoritarian one-party dictatorship and the aggressor towards it's Asian neighbors.
*Vietnam is socialist but even they see China as a threat and have sided with the United States.
OssanAmerica
No you have that backwards. Th U.S. "pivot" to Asia/Pacific is the direct result of China's aggression towards it's smaller neighors that has been going on since 2008/09. It is also meeting the requests of US Asian allies.
T-Mack
Some day those Island's may be covered with water, and It wont matter much then. Long live Nippon!!! China Chill out!!!
gelendestrasse
The J-government would do well to just ignore the thing and carry on with their own plans.
Qwerty2012
Democracy? With US military bases stationed on them? Quite a joke.
Qwerty2012
The Asian Pacific region was doing just fine until Obama's "pivot to Asia-Pacific"...coincidence? Like I said, the same operation manual is in place whether it's "pivot to Iraq" (remember all those WMDs and biological warfare mobile labs, and yellow cake..., Iraq the THREAT to the free world, etc, etc, no...?) or "pivot to Asia-Pacific", whenever there's a "pivot", suddenly, the lucky region starts heating up and missiles and threats start flying.
If China's such a big threat, tell me, why are there THOUSANDS of US, Japanese and European corporations operating in China? Steve Job's too stupid to see the risk?
Kobuta Chan
This kind of Communist Chinese Government provocation is not last one but Japan to face Communist Chinese Government gangster like attitude for as long as Communist China officially accepted Senkaku Island chains are belonging to Japan. To prevent bully by Communist Chinese Government, reduce direct Japanese Company investment in Communist China and moved businesses interest to other South East Asia country like Burma. To protect sovereignty of Japan, Japan needs strong military and weapon. The current regional situation is pushing Japan to posses Nuclear Weapon in near future. Only Nuclear weapon will keep hostile country stay away from attacking Japan.
OssanAmerica
"Not at all. In the 1800s the other nations were imperialist colonial powers were the aggressors taking advantage of a weak and backwards Qing Dynasty. Today the other nations are democracies* seeking to defend themselves and it is China that is an Authoritarian one-party dictatorship and the aggressor towards it's Asian neighbors".
Why is that a joke? Every nation that has a US military presence on their territory wants the US there. If not, all they have to do is ask them to leave. Look at Subic Bay in the PI. So when is China going to leave Tibet?
Qwerty2012
Glad you are finally admitting that Japan is as "free" with all these US military bases as Tibet is as "free" under China. The difference is of course China does not pretend Tibet is "free" and not controlled by China.
As for WHEN EXACTLY the pivot occurred, I'm sure you and certain others on JT would know better than the rest of us!
Qwerty2012
It's exasperating - some of you really think we're idiots? "Pivots" happen only when they're announced? US military will leave when asked? Political leaders cannot be puppets? Hatoyama tried to relocate Futenma, look what happened to him!
nigelboy
The primary aim is to appease your uneducated domestic population, mostly. Can't show any weakness.
Juan Rodriguez
“The primary aim (of the exercises) is to strengthen the capacity to safeguard territorial sovereignty and maritime interests,” Shen Hao.
And what is the secondary aim Mr. Hao?
Zenpun
@OssanAmerica
Every nation want US military presence in their territory. Pls ask iragi insurgents, Afghan rpeople, Russia, Syria, Iran and Vietnam. US is looking for imaginary enemy every part of the world except Russia. It is an excuse for spending pubic money for military hardware and adventure. Politician will give funding for military contractors who will be unemployed otherwise. Phillipines want US base back now. Actually US base were before there. The reason of leaving was local resentment and not willing to pay the expense from both.
According your wish, Tibet should be free when Ariznona, Taxas and New Mexico handed back to former owner. Florida has high level of Latino population. It shoul be new South American nation. Native American should get back some of their land too. Everything will be back to normal.
PPC has only one air craft carrier it is not a threat of security unless they use nuclear arsenal. It is very unlikely. Headline should be changed as "Skinny China flexing paper thin muscle."
OssanAmerica
China is not an imaginary enemy. THe cHinese themselves have declared their intrent to claim all of the South and East China Seas. THey themselves have declared theirt intent to replace the US as the dominan r strategic power in the region. They re upset that the US will defend the Sebkakus if China trys to take it by force. Nothing imaginary about a belligerent authoritarian dictatorship that is threatening all of Asia.
Zenpun
If PRC authorian dictatorship state cowardly want to get Senkaku by force, why have they waited for 43 years? Since the discovery of oil and gas reserve of 1967, ROC and PRC started their dispute. In my knowledge they waited for HK for 100 yrs. Late Deng Xiaopping said he was not wise enough to fix the dispute. Leave the issue for future generation who will be wiser! Interestingly PRC and Japan has never made noise in public until 2009.
There is no such thing as only dominant strategic power in the world. That world is multi polar world which have been regulated by UN. Without UN security council resolution, no nation has god send power to control other nation faith and destiny. Irag war was exception and failure too. Mr Bush infamously boosted " The course of that nation is not depending on other!" Reality is other way around. All nations are depending each other for trade, finance, market and technology.
sfjp330
Internationally, business people that are investing in China are watching carefully to their actions and they becoming alarmingly cautious to the rist of long term direct investment. You notice that in 2012, there were close to 7 percent less FDI (Foreign Direct Investment). More assertive China becomes, more cautious foreign investors becomes. China should be more humble, but maybe it's not in their vocabulary.
saidani
OssanAmerica Oct. 20, 2012 - 07:22AM JST
Anyone who says he KNOWS what China is about, unless they are CPC or PLA is blowing smoke, double that for Americans which intelligence was mostly wrong during the Arab Spring and lately in the Benghazi murder of American Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens (before and after the murder). In fact, China has been the object of American fear-mongering in Asia since the Cold War, which has led to incidents of provocation by Washington in the hopes that China will do something in retaliation (a tactic currently being used on Iran and during the 1940s against Japan). The current activities of the Chinese is a dream come true for many button pushers at the Pentagon.
Qwerty2012
That's the year when Obama started his "pivot to Asia", whereas Bush was occupied with Afghanistan and Iraq.
JoeBigs
OOooOOooAAAAaaaaAAAaaaaa the mighty Chinese fishing fleet doing drills, aren't they quaint.
If fish ever attacked them they might win, but if they faced another navy they would do exactly what the mighty Beiyang Fleet did, sink.
Konsta
Do you feel the difference? This is muscle flexing only with wildest imagination. This is why they added "which did not give a detailed breakdown on the vessels", because otherwise these drills are humiliating.