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Japan opts not to join U.S., others in criticizing China for Hong Kong law

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It turned out a fake news. Japanese spokesman explained that Japan had counter-offered to express accusation against China separately as it hadn't wanted to take long time to coordinate the wording. It' only Japan that had called up Chinese ambassador to tell the accusation.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Abe-san dons the pussy hat yet again!!!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Christopher Glenn:

If China won’t stick to the 1997 assurances they should be independent

Alas, that train has left the station. The CCP will annex HK. The thing we should do is change our attitude towards the CCP. Remove them from the WTO untill they stop cheating, relocate our supply chains for vital goods out of mainland China, recognize Taiwan, recognize Dalai Lama, and keep asking about the Uigur concentration camps and the business with harvested organs from Falun Gong prisoners.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

He also issued a veiled warning to Tokyo to distance itself from the United States and European countries in dealing with sensitive issues, saying Beijing hopes "the Japanese side will create sound conditions and atmosphere" to realize Xi's visit to Japan.

The reason is right there. Abe wants his little photo op with Xi. He is wrong, but that is where we are.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Now this news became obviously FAKE,

how are these guys above thinking now?

Especially "Yubaru", saying "Not surprising really, Abe cant afford to piss off China!"

What surprised you ? Truth ? or Fake ?

Your prejudice also became obvious anyways.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Abe you are a disgrace to the Bushido code !

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I'm not an Abe supporter, quite the opposite. But he doesn't have much choice right now.

We've got countries all around us arguing with each other instead of focusing their attention on what China's been doing. India vs Pakistan, Japan vs South Korea and the US picking fights with pretty much everyone else at the moment, particularly the EU.

The only hope we have is for Trump and people like Abe to be kicked out before China completely takes over Asia...

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Japan's political leader act in Japan's interest.

Abe is coming around and knows this economy is not going to take another hit by joining some historically proven ineffective destined for failure US led sanctions.

The companies and people in Japan versus the people of Hong Kong. Didn’t take long to decide.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

If Japan had better relations with everyone in the region outside of China, it would be easier to do the right thing. Then you'll be better able to look in the mirror every morning.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

What did the HK protesters really gain, zip, nada , zero instead they have LOST a Hard WON battle against extradition bill, and now loses more than that, they lose US special status and force the central government to impose National Security Law, and destroy HK infrastructure, that only accelerated HK demise.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

@M3M3M3 ...The next time you're faced with a choice, do the right thing. It hurts everyone less in the long run.

What you say may be true and it looks like it is based on the facts, however it does not mean its the right thing to do.

Facts are important in a court of law or in business. Facts are important overall.

However, we need to sometimes look at the reality of today and rethink what is the right thing to do in order to lessen the pain for everyone involved.

This is not hysteria as you say. It is people who care about Hong Kong and its people.

Those are the facts.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

How convenient for the Japanese government.

When China is threading the Senkaku islands or South Korea is bullying them the J-government always ask support from the western countries,but if the west rightfully ask for freedom and protection of HK people they withdraw.

And spare me the anti-west propaganda that we were colonizer etc,because Japan was one as well.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Japan is right to do this as statements by the UK are utterly meaningless. The UK is currently suffering from its own suicidal decision to do brexit and by not taking the corona virus seriously. The UK is a far, far away place from Hong Kong and the UK is allowing the Chinese to build its 5G network and a nuclear power plant. So Hong Kong is low down on its priority list. Talk is cheap and brexitard UK is looking for a trade deal with fascist China at any cost. So why should Japan sign up to such a UK proposal? Japan should make its own decisions and its own criticisms.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

All of you who bought cheap Chinese goods and turned a blind eye to the human rights abuses are about to reap what you sowed. The evil authoritarian Chinese dictatorship will first impose its will upon Hong Kong and on all who trade with her. Stand up to this new fascism now or watch it roll over your dead corpse.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

It is not just the security law that is the point here but other concerns like kidnapping Hong Kongers and not allowing them to choose their own political representatives.

What of the slow genocide of Tibetans and the Uighurs?

And lest we forget it is the CCP that censors the flow of information to the people at present and most heinously is responsible for the deaths of tens of millions of its own people

2 ( +5 / -3 )

The USA itself ought to look at itself first before criticizing China.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Without all those daily demonstrations and scattered riots in HK that has disrupted even the international flights pre-COVID then these new security laws for HK could not have existed.

PM Abe knows that it's China's priority to prevent another TAM from ever happening again in HK, China.

On the other hand it would be nice to see the USA, Canada and OZ display same kind of noise to give democratic ROC-TW or simply Taiwan same diplomatic recognition they gave to ...surprise!... Beijing!

Alas and alack these so-called democracies all adamantly refuses to have embassies in Taipei to make Chairman Xi JP happy!

They instead have funny trade offices called AIT, Australia Trade Office, Canadian Business Group etc, etc but never da-kine even a mini embassy!

They shout for HK, China but becomes not only mute but blind and deaf when it comes to establishing diplomatic ties to an independent country that has never been a part of the PROC!

Double standard? Or just plain majors in drama and hypocrisy but sub-minor in honor and reliability?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

China promised one country, two systems. Clearly this promise is being broken.

I’ve been to Hong Kong and have a lot of fondness for the island and its people.

If China won’t stick to the 1997 assurances they should be independent

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Let Japan's kowtowing to China begin.

China has broken a legal treaty that it helped design, and that it signed freely and without coercion.

Japan chooses to not speak its mind and defend the norms of legal diplomatic relations via the means of treaties, that effects others. Who will object if China breaks a legal treaty with Japan? Will others defend Japan who is unwilling to defend others? Setting such precedents is dangerous and emboldens those who would ignore treaties in the future.

An unwise move by Abe and Japan.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

I'm very proud of PM Abe and his whole team for finally ending Japan's being only a mere shadow of the USA and the so-called Western powers .

These self-declared democratic West including the 'Five Eyes' calls China evil but on the other hand refuses to give democratic TW diplomatic recognition in favor of ...surprise!... Beijing!

Does the USA, UK, Australia ,NZ, Germany etc have embassies in Taipei?

Independent and democratic Taiwan, ROC unlike HK is not a part of the PROC yet these so-called Western Democracies instantly turns blind, deaf and mute when the PLA threatens the Island Republic with invasion!

They are no where to be heard when the WHA and WHO refused to let TW enter even as a mere 'observer'!

In contrast to Nippon's very loud support!

Japan knows that HK is now part of China and not of London nor of Washington .

If these countries can only give TW even half of the support they are voicing for HK then their leaders will certainly have the guts to give their diplomatic nod to TW.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

And when the PRC comes for you, Japan. Who ya gonna call?

Ghostbusters.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Japan is Japanese Japan.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Good to see Japan finally growing some balls. Or maybe after seeing the US protests and hypocrisy they finally have a more balanced view.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Japan is not a boot licker of the US.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

W E A K no back bone L I M P impotent S O F T soon to be Chinas next puppet.......... D A M E d E s U

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

It is correct to mind yr own business. Bravo ABE SAN.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

Sometimes you have to swallow it.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Bad karma move for Japan.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

It is China internal problem.

Go read the book or watch "Has China Won" by Kishore Mahbubani former ambassador to UN and the debate he has with western scholars.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

Dear Hong Kong,

Remember the Senkaku Islands?

It was people from Hong Kong landing there on the Island, claiming it belongs to them. Fact

People from Hong Kong bashing Japan, wanting Japan to give back the islands....

Enjoy Hong Kong people, don't expect Japan's support when your Anti-Japan, don't expect in the last moment after years of bashing Japan, for us to save you or support you.

HONG KONG will never focus on SENKAKU ISLANDS AGAIN! FREEDOM IS MORE IMPORTANT! FACT

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

Nothing like turning your back on friends and allies, eh?

0 ( +5 / -5 )

I'll defer to your expertise on that. But I know and have lived and worked in both countries. Anyone who says police abuse is far worse in the USA than in China is talking out of their posterior.

Have you been arrested in both countries and spent time in prison?

Your valuable expertise on the prison systems of both countries might be worth a book deal!!!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I'll defer to your expertise on that. But I know and have lived and worked in both countries. Anyone who says police abuse is far worse in the USA than in China is talking out of their posterior.

Anyone who has that opinion doesn’t know their mouth from their posterior.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

That statement can only be made by a brainwashed person, someone who lets others think for him/her.

I'll defer to your expertise on that. But I know and have lived and worked in both countries. Anyone who says police abuse is far worse in the USA than in China is talking out of their posterior.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

This is a chance for Japan to get out of China but they don't want to. It would require making a decision based on democratic values. Kinda the wrong place for that

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Hong Kong belongs to PRC after UK officially returned it to PRC in 1997. China promised HK's independence system until 2047, but Hong Kong will be 100% communist whatever after 2047. Xi can't wait for that. It seems there would be nothing Japan can protest about such China's domestic matter.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

commanteerToday  07:17 pm JST

Police brutality is a lot worse in the US than it is in China. 

This could only be said by someone who knows nothing about China. Simply an ignorant statement.

That statement can only be made by a brainwashed person, someone who lets others think for him/her.

Yes, Abe is a snake and corrupt. 

Source, proof????

Standing up for Democratic ideals doesn’t need to be dictated by anyone. But not standing up is a shame!!!

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Japan has no backbone.

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

Police brutality is a lot worse in the US than it is in China. 

This could only be said by someone who knows nothing about China. Simply an ignorant statement.

As awful as the CCP are though, Japan is on the front lines with China, and shouldn't allow remote countries like the US and Canada to dictate how they will talk to China. Yes, Abe is a snake and corrupt. Yes, what is happening to Hong Kong is a moral crime. But Japan has to navigate difficult waters here. The US can be both belligerent and unreliable, no matter who is president. It would be a mistake for Japan to go lockstep with the US here, because if things go south, Japan will bear the brunt of it. The US tends to blunder about in foreign affairs, using a sledgehammer to pound in a thumb tack - and there is relatively little blowback to the average American (to date). Japan is more vulnerable, and obviously most intelligent Americans are aware of this - which is why they haven't made a bigger deal of Japan not joining in on the statement.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

The Hong Kong handover treaty shouldve had an enforcement clause. What can Britain do if China violates? Toothless treaty. Like having a law that says no killing, but not allowing punishment for killing. Honour system.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Seth MToday  05:44 pm JST

Police brutality is a lot worse in the US than it is in China. UN has openly criticized the lynching practices against black people by the US police.

While police brutality against minorities is a serious issue in the US, China takes it to new extreme levels.

Dissidents are tortured, imprisoned and killed regularly. The CCP is a brutal machine which under is bent upon Keeping control by taking China backwards.

Something both Trump and Xi have in common, regressiveness!!!

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

I am not surprised. I have totally predicted that LDP cronies can't afford to piss off China right now. Japan's economy would collapse if China decided to confiscate Japanese assets and declare an economic war on Japan. Tadashi Yanai built his fortune on the network of stores in China, or Takemitsu Takizaki built his robotic empire of Keyence on the demands of Chinese markets. If the CCP decided to make Japan paying dearly, these billionaires as well as many other Japanese businesspeople will lose their fortune overnight.

The US can afford a painful, inevitable decoupling from China. The EU is a maybe, but I am not sure about the financial situations of Paris, Brussels and Berlin. Japan can't handle what the US demanded. Especially, Japan is receiving the full blows of Covid economic depression as well as the prospect of no Olympics 2021.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Hong Kong, then Taiwan, then the Senkakus, then Okinawa...

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Better cross-check the info & background. So far all viral info refer solely to Kyodo' source. Note that Kyodo is near guilty of having made false reporting.

Meanwhile, a lawmaker has denied the "opted out" allegation.

片山さつき氏「中国批判声明」参加拒否ではない

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/330fc1fd19858cd9f9ab161227ebbd4bc9110cb9

According to her, Japan is also the only G7 country to summon China's ambassador in protest over HK.

To my knowledge, the Japanese government has also gone ahead to make a statement (short of protest but "grave concern"). Alongside, 81 lawmakers across the aisle have issued joint statement condemning Beijing.

Even (surprising?) Japanese Communist Party has made an official protest against Beijing.

香港への「国家安全法」導入に強く抗議する

https://www.jcp.or.jp/web_policy/2020/05/post-839.html

My point here is, don't rush to judge Japan with a snapshot (unconfirmed) news report, but assess the whole effort.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

scared

0 ( +7 / -7 )

cowardly

3 ( +13 / -10 )

Communist China's political stance is one of the worst cases without doubt. Thus, PM Abe's cabinet condemns President Xi's policy, though it's in less harsh tone. That's not that bad as Washington concerns. Japan should take its own stance because she isn't the part of the Commonwealth or a subordinate of the US.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

On my eyes it was the wrong decision made by the Japanese government, but let's see what will occur from now on. Many times we as common people judge thinking we are right and we end up seeing that we weren't. Perhaps the government is thinking about the future and the current moment, but it may not necessary means that Japan is on China's side but for now they think be against the communist dragon is not the wise thing to do.

There is a right time to do so and this time on my opinion is when all developed nations is totally free of leftist movement where countries like Japan, Germany, Canada, England, France and the US for instance can join force to go against the devil regime. Now, many countries are facing troubles caused by leftists and whoever fight against the evil will have troubles, but it is just my opinion.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

M3M3M3

Correct me if I am wrong, but did't Ned Stark have words on paper to support him?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

There's alot of criticism that can be levelled at China for a variety of other reasons, but the idea that they are doing something illegal or improper with respect to Hong Kong is completely unfounded. It's reassuring to see that Japan is not buying into the hysteria peddled by the likes of Trump and Boris Johnson.

Let's look at the facts: At the 1997 handover both Britain and China agreed on Hong Kong's Basic Law which sets out the constitutional arrangements for the territory and its relationship with mainland China.

Article 23 of the Basic Law requires Hong Kong to enact local laws banning treason, separatism, insurrection, subversion and foreign influence and interference. Whether we like it or not, this is what was agreed with China at the time. Hong Kong legislators have failed to explicitly enact anything under Article 23 despite having over two decades to pass something. An alternative view from the Hong Kong Bar Association is that everything which Article 23 requires to be made illegal is probably already illegal in Hong Kong either at common law or by crimes created in various other pieces of legislation, so no additional legislation is needed or would be redundant.

Article 18 allows Hong Kong to annex Mainland Chinese legislation proposed by the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC) to the Basic Law, making it part of Hong Kong law. However, despite the way it's been framed by some, the NPC can never 'impose' legislation on Hong Kong. The NPC's recommendations don't become annexed unless they are either approved by the HK Legislative Council or promulgated by the HK Chief Executive. In theory they can be rejected.

All the NPC has done to date is agree to draft security legislation that will be presented to HK for annexation. Nobody knows what the content of this Chinese legislation will look like. It could be extremely draconian or it could be very reasonable. If it goes no further than banning what the British agreed to in Article 23 (or in otherwords, what the Hong Kong Bar Association says is already illegal in HK) what is the basis for international criticism of China? On what basis can it be said that China is ignoring its commitments or violating agreements? China seems to only be following the strict letter of the law to insist on everything they are legally entitled to.

China obviously takes the threat of a separatist rebellion very seriously, as many nations would. Regardless of how you feel about China or Hong Kong independence, I would urge people to remember the hysteria and misinformation campaign that was whipped up prior to the disastrous invasion of Iraq in 2003 by the exact same people who are now doing much the same with China.

2 ( +13 / -11 )

expressing their "deep concern" over the move and warned that it could "dramatically erode" Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy guaranteed under China's "one country, two systems" policy.

....isn't that China's whole point?

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Good idea not to join former colonizers who sow the seeds of the Hong Kong issue. Hong Kong needs order, not chaos abetted by the west.

-10 ( +9 / -19 )

Abe needs China more than supporting Hong Kong's freedoms.

He has been kissing China's arse as much as he possibly can. Absolutely *disgusting***!**

7 ( +15 / -8 )

Police brutality is a lot worse in the US than it is in China. UN has openly criticized the lynching practices against black people by the US police.

How on earth Trump government still got the nerve to fimger point China is a mystery. At least clean yourself up first.

Abe would be an absolute hypocrite if he criticize one and close his eyes to the other.

-4 ( +12 / -16 )

Two down rates for my previous comment. Well, what to say other than, it is the truth. That you do not like it is incidental to its accuracy. And woe to those who ignore the truth that

Japan's political leader act in Japan's interest.

And Japan's interest's are the same as every other nation-state on this rock. And that is:

Power and independance.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Not quite the same thing, but there are two 2 Diet members on the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), which has issued a statement that includes a call to keep the PRC accountable to "universal human rights". On its team, along with Iain Duncan Smith and Marco Rubio, are an LDP member (Gen Nakatani, a former Ministry of Defense minister) and an independent (Shiori Yamao).

https://www.ipac.global/

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Laguna

"Show me the money has always been Japan's modii operindi."

Perhaps this is true when it comes to some of Japan's business leaders.

But, when it comes to Japan's political leaders, it's always been a different story:

Power. And independence.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

What does it mean when the Japanese cannot recognize the desire to protect freedoms-it is shocking!!!

9 ( +16 / -7 )

Gutless, Japan.

6 ( +20 / -14 )

Japan has opted out of joining the United States, Britain and others in issuing a statement to condemn China

To clarify with my knowledge, "others" means Canada and Australia. Like Japan, EU and NZ have also opted out. EU has issued own statement. Japan better made own statement on HK issue.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

Disappointing but not surprising.

Trump’s America is no longer a reliable ally, so Abe wants to play it safe.

7 ( +19 / -12 )

Abe and the LDP have taken off their masks to show their true faces-it ain’t pretty...

14 ( +22 / -8 )

@Yubaru

Not surprising really, Abe cant afford to piss off China!

I rarely agree with you but this time I 100% agree with you!

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Show me the money has always been Japan's modii operindi.

11 ( +19 / -8 )

And when the PRC comes for you, Japan. Who ya gonna call?

I suspect this explains a lot. Who can they call? The US is no longer a reliable ally, so Japan is probably going to try doing less to piss China off than they would have in the pre-Trump era.

1 ( +16 / -15 )

Abe is so wishywashy

14 ( +24 / -10 )

And when the PRC comes for you, Japan. Who ya gonna call?

Will be met by the most defining of silences. Shame on you Abe and Co.

19 ( +33 / -14 )

Abe is pathetic.

23 ( +36 / -13 )

Japan, always willing to take a stand!!

29 ( +36 / -7 )

Not surprising really, Abe cant afford to piss off China!

18 ( +29 / -11 )

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