China, Japan hold maritime talks on islands dispute

Really? Actually sitting down on the same table and discussing? That's new for both parties. Usually they just sic their ultranationalistic dogs on each other and expect results.

Well done to both sides for taking the adult approach to this for once. Will really upset the senile old fool in Tokyo though......

So, china and Japan are gonna chat. Well, good for them, but I don't see either side being prepared to fold.

However, I must say, it is quite a different stance from china compared to what they are doing to the Philippines over a similar issue, which has been mysteriously absent from most Japanese media. You don't see the Chinese threatening Japan with war to gain control of these islands.

However, I must say, it is quite a different stance from china compared to what they are doing to the Philippines over a similar issue, which has been mysteriously absent from most Japanese media. You don't see the Chinese threatening Japan with war to gain control of these islands.

Threatening Japan with War would automatically trigger US involvement. Its one thing for China to try to bully Vietnam and the Philippines, but Japan is another story.

" Its one thing for China to try to bully Vietnam and the Philippines, but Japan is another story."

Maybe the Philippines misses those US military bases they decided to get rid of.

Two party talks in a four party dispute.....they are leaving out Taiwan and Ishihara. Go figure.

mygawd... china wants every piece of land it wants.. cummon china is huge already stop being so greedy

This isn't the first time they've formed groups to research history and/or discuss claims to the island, and while I applaud the attempt my guess is it will go the way of previous meetings with absolutely nothing being resolved (in terms of who owns the islands). They MIGHT be able to work on a deal for drilling if they can avoid the issue of sovereignty.

I hope Noda won't mess up Isihara's plan. It's time for change with Japanese weak-kneed diplomacy toward China and Korea.

Your friend is close, your enemy is closer.

Jaw Jaw is better than War War

Japan has NO soverignity over the east sea and Senkaku isles, they were provocating tensions to cool down their domestic frustrations against the ruling party only! Those so called Japanese laws were never valid over the east sea, the trawler capatin was released and never indicted, that was the proof that the Japanese accusations and claims were baseless! What Japan wants is to steal the gas resource underneath the east sea seabed! If japan holds any soverignity they should have drilled the east sea bed long long time ago!