politics

Japan suggests hotline to Beijing over island dispute

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Vote Ishihara for next president!

-18 ( +2 / -20 )

"What's important is to create a hotline, so that we would be able to communicate swiftly when this kind of incident happens," Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters.

You mean there isn't one?

MORE communication and MORE understanding will resolve this.

NOTHING else will.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

This idea originated by Japan, so China is not going to bite. Chinese do not want to be told what to do, remember? Their pride is too high. I think this is a great idea for both countries though.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

China doesn't want to resolve anything, they need to keep it going so the public's attention is pointed towards Japan and not internally.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Unlikely Chines will respond positively to this proposition .Direct military hot line could be dangerous if one side decides to use in wrong way. But hotline between Japan, China and UN would work much better.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2013-02/09/content_16217412.htm

dated 2/9/2013,

I do not think China is not on the same page with Japan.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Lets hope this works...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

A more direct line won't help a thing when they are unwilling to speak directly and be honest with one another, let alone when they're unwilling to work together.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

This is a great idea. Too bad China will always say No. lol.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

wow globalwatcher...

That article was almost painful to read because of underlying biased tone that is plain obvious! They emphasises the word 'should' without even explaining why! Also it is unprofessional for the writer to express her/his own opinions by throwing some thrashy adjectives to personally attack Japan. WTF? It's pretty sad to compare this article and theirs. But I guess China wants hatred to breed hatred, nothing else.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Globalwatcher,

Thank you for the link. Now it is clear where the 50 centers get their repertoire from ;-) Guess there are quite a few other sources, written in Chinese, too.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I honestly think China doesn't care one way or another. Don't forget what China is demanding, not asking, which is to have Japan admit there is a dispute and the islands do belong to China.

There is no chance Japan will cop to the second demand. The first one, maybe since it has become a reality.

The problem is Abe just cannot retreat from his stance on the no dispute claim. IF he does so, his political career is over. Which will come sooner or later within the year due to other circumstances but he can't commit political suicide right now.

So this dispute will just have to last until Abe steps down for non-islands dispute reasons. And have the next guy take care of the problem. I just hope Japan's economy won't get any worse during this period. Otherwise, the LDP might start wagging the dog and look for a biggest excuse to mask its current economic problems.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

This wouldn't solve a thing, and anyone who has studied Chinese politics knows why. Simply put China is run by a set of committees with overlapping areas of responsibility ... so, for example, a general is both a member of the military, a senior party member, and has responsibilities for functions. This system of overlapping committees makes finding an communicating with the right person at the right time nearly impossible, especially if China doesn't WANT to talk about it right at that moment. It also makes allocating blame later very difficult, with scapegoating a favourite game in the Communist Party.

In other words, they could have a direct line into the "leader's" office and he might well have no clue what was going on at that moment, and be unable to directly order the ships to stand down without stepping on the toes of an entire sub-committee of important Chinese politicos.

China isn't the U.S. or Japan where the political government has direct authority over the military structures.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

It's over. The PRC is backing down, putting a crimp in our plans, unless PM Abe can appear to be conciliatory again by sending another letter to Xi with some foreign minister or ex-prime minister...or else suggest some hotline. On again, off again is the game at the moment.

We need to keep the PLA fighting mad then not so mad so that they eventually break under the constant strain and ATTACK, which is why (like the famous torture of repeated drops of water plunking on the same spot on the forehead), we are constantly engaging and disengaging China with the Senkakus issue.

One way or the other, we will get the PLA to attack or, at the very least, appear to be the attacker. At which point, we can retaliate with overwhelming force and destroy the PRC by dismantling it into a free Tibet, an independent Xinjiang, an Inner Mongolia which realigns politically with Outer Mongolia and the Han Chinese on the coast broken into three separate countries based around their three principal rivers.

This is the real future of Asia, not this PRC bullshit.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Is Japan 'hotline' idea a pubic relation exercise? What will Japan say when another serious incident happen? Blame China right away or Set Up China Again to looks good to the world? Remember the radar lock incident is already a Japanese trap that happen only about 100 km off Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands and that area is infested with Japanese navy ships, fighter jets and anti ship land launched missiles to harass the Chinese frigate!

Remember my gripe with Japan is the devious mentality these leaders act. ALWAYS SHOOTING FROM BOTH SIDES OF THEIR MOUTH! Almost impossible to have any trust with them!

In any case, if a hotline is established there is a Three Headed Hydra in China! Send one hotline to Mr Xi. Send one to the PLA head. Send one to HuJintao/Jiang Zemin who have shadow power over the other two leaders. You don't know which have ultimate power!

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Not sure what all this empty talk about "keeping the dialogue open" is about. There is no dialogue other than China repeats claiming the island and Japan repeats owning it. No matter what dialogue Japan wants to keep open with China, even serving a nice cup of tea to that, China will not let loose their expansionist tendencies. The only way to act against China is economically. That means slowly but steadily abandon China. You don't want to build further on such a corrupt and moral-lacking country, do you?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

@globalwatcher nice article!

"China has been exercising maximum restraint and stayed committed to solving the dispute"

... By dispatching ship after ship into the disputed areal.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

If they setup a hotline then they will be able to call directly the responsible. It the radar lock was done by accident, then it will improve their own communication.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

there is a Three Headed Hydra in China! Send one hotline to Mr Xi. Send one to the PLA head. Send one to HuJintao/Jiang Zemin who have shadow power over the other two leaders. You don't know which have ultimate power!

HuJintao has been known as a shrewd and savvy military strategist, right?.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

From the perspective of preventing armed conflict, a better idea would be a hotline between the PLAN and the CCP Politburo. The most frightening scenario is that the warmongering elements of the Chinese military may decide to act on their own.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Tony EwFEB. 10, 2013 - 01:12PM JST Remember my gripe with Japan is the devious mentality these leaders act. ALWAYS SHOOTING FROM BOTH SIDES >OF THEIR MOUTH! Almost impossible to have any trust with them!

That's exactly how the entire world feels about fascist China. You're swiming upstream with your red guard statements..

0 ( +0 / -0 )

">Tony EwFEB. 10, 2013 - 01:12PM JST

Remember my gripe with Japan is the devious mentality these leaders act. ALWAYS SHOOTING FROM BOTH SIDES >OF THEIR MOUTH! Almost impossible to have any trust with them!

That's exactly how the entire world feels about fascist China. What is undeniable is the fact that Abe's idea is designed to decrease the chances of armed conflict. I would have expected most people regardless of what country they support, to find this a good idea.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

The most frightening scenario is that the warmongering elements of the Chinese military may decide to act on their own.

Agree, Ossan. Sleeping Tiger wants to get out from the cage.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

CGB SpenderFeb. 10, 2013 - 01:28PM JST

... By dispatching ship after ship into the disputed areal.

This is what I am afraid of. Sending ship after ship into the disputed area until Japan makes mistakes. They will never give up. Hope US, AUSTRALIA, NZ Japan, East Asian countries moving inward closer to contain China.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

not a bad idea...toll free

just be careful of swatting

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

globalwatcherFeb. 10, 2013 - Hope US, AUSTRALIA, NZ Japan, East Asian countries moving inward closer to contain China.

I am sorry to say that your hope actually is not realistic in my opinion, Australia & NZ make lots of money from CN, Malaysia and Indonesia hate american because they're muslim, vietnam hate CN but actually rely on CN for all aspects, Philipino's better but flip & flop all the time. Nobody of them can be counted on! I think JP and CN have to depend on themselves to figure out problems patiently, all those quick-temper language only make situation worse.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

OssanAmerica: "That's exactly how the entire world feels about fascist China. What is undeniable is the fact that Abe's idea is designed to decrease the chances of armed conflict."

Actually, the only thing that's undeniable is that Abe is looking to score points. Seriously, what is a direct line going to do?

Abe: You put us in radar lock!

Chinese Government: We did no such thing. You are spouting propaganda!

Abe: No, you did! We have undeniable proof... which we won't show anyone.

CG: Convenient, given that we didn't do what you claim, just as you could not prove Russian jets entered Japanese air-space the other day.

Abe: We have proof of both! We won't show you, though.

CG: Why did you bother to call?

Abe: Can you just talk a bit longer, please? the press is taking my picture!

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Just get a Twitter account

0 ( +1 / -1 )

yosunFeb. 10, 2013 - 07:26PM JST

globalwatcherFeb. 10, 2013 - Hope US, AUSTRALIA, NZ Japan, East Asian countries moving inward closer to contain China.

We have already moved some to the northern Australia. We are all set up allied coalitions for this purpose.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Chinese ship continues patrolling Diaoyu Islands waters, dated 2/10/2013

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-02/10/content_16217789.htm

China DM refutes Japan's allegations on radar targeting, dated 2/8/2013

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-02/08/content_16216914.htm

Japan and China are not yet on the same page for diplomacy.

China's new message from a new boss to communist party on New Year was that the communist party should be more open and transparent to world criticism for change. He is encouraging communist party to listen. I guess they are still in isolation and disconnected to the rest of world. They live in different world.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

globalwatcherFeb. 10, 2013 - I guess they are still in isolation and disconnected to the rest of world. They live in different world.

Actually I hope the US cut off relationship with PRC and resume diplomatic recognition toward Taiwan(ROC) again but is it possibile? No way! WHY? because isolation is not important for the US but international reality is! the US need PRC to balance Russia.

globalwatcherFeb. 10, 2013 - We have already moved some to the northern Australia. We are all set up allied coalitions for this purpose.

CN and JP need cooling down instead of heating up for this issue. Your "We" supposed to be the US, but the US won't take risk to front CN to avoid CN getting even closer to Russia or CN might simply dump part (say 50%, more than a trillion) of his owned US$ in world market which the US rich level don't like to see. Everyone know that the US is actually controlled by 100 most richest american.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@OssanAmericaFeb. 10, 2013 - 04:09PM JST

">Tony EwFEB. 10, 2013 - 01:12PM JST

Remember my gripe with Japan is the devious mentality these leaders act. ALWAYS SHOOTING FROM BOTH SIDES >OF THEIR MOUTH! Almost impossible to have any trust with them!

That's exactly how the entire world feels about fascist China. What is undeniable is the fact that Abe's idea is designed to decrease the chances of armed conflict. I would have expected most people regardless of what country they support, to find this a good idea.

The Rules of Engagement for a hotline between Japan and China if Abe agree should includes NO Propaganda from Abe! Don't ever open your mouth with an accusation. Calm down! Ditto from China side. Fair enough? Even better, have US involved to listen in since US is in the region, set up a CONFERENCE CALL and we all know what is going on!

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Fascist China? That label is getting old!

Actually, CCP saying "Imperialist Militaristic Japan" is getting really old. About 70 years old.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@globalwatcherFeb. 10, 2013 - 02:53PM JST

there is a Three Headed Hydra in China! Send one hotline to Mr Xi. Send one to the PLA head. Send one to HuJintao/Jiang Zemin who have shadow power over the other two leaders. You don't know which have ultimate power!

HuJintao has been known as a shrewd and savvy military strategist, right?.

People are so ignorant!

In China the currently leaderships in ANY position, especially the top PLA and Mr Xi are installed AFTER THE BACKGROUND POWER PLAY AND THESE ARE USUALLY Mr HuJintao and Mr Jiang Zemin. IN OTHER WORDS the current PLA leader and Mr Xi OWES their powers to those two 'hidden third hydra'

YOU HAVE TO TALK TO THESE TWO GUYS in the hotline in order to calm down the situation! It does not matter whether these two guys are military strategist or not, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN INNER MILITARY ADVISERS to tell them how best to respond! This is no different than Abe getting advice from his defence chief or POTUS Obama from the defense secretary.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Luiz / BRAZIL

Too much time had passed for Japan to leave these chinese islets alone ! Those who seed peace will harvest peace: China is a powerful nuclear power ; no more nuke blast over japanese cities please!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2013-02/08/content_16215030.htm

China wants to take care of the pollution problem and seeing for technical solution from Japan.

Play smart diplomacy, Japan. You only want to help China if China is willing to accept Senkakus as a part of Japan and stop these harrasements. Do not repeat a mistake of Shinkansen you have alredy done.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Tony EwFeb. 11, 2013 - 01:13AM JST

@globalwatcherFeb. 10, 2013 - 02:53PM JST

there is a Three Headed Hydra in China! Send one hotline to Mr Xi. Send one to the PLA head. Send one to HuJintao/Jiang Zemin who have shadow power over the other two leaders. You don't know which have ultimate power!

HuJintao has been known as a shrewd and savvy military strategist, right?.

People are so ignorant!

In China the currently leaderships in ANY position, especially the top PLA and Mr Xi are installed AFTER THE BACKGROUND POWER PLAY AND THESE ARE USUALLY Mr HuJintao and Mr Jiang Zemin. IN OTHER WORDS the current PLA leader and Mr Xi OWES their powers to those two 'hidden third hydra'

YOU HAVE TO TALK TO THESE TWO GUYS in the hotline in order to calm down the situation! It does not matter whether these two guys are military strategist or not, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN INNER MILITARY ADVISERS to tell them how best to respond! This is no different than Abe getting advice from his defence chief or POTUS Obama from the defense secretary.

Your post here has just confirmed my belief that setting up hotline with China may not work. China does not have a clear political system. You do not have a clear Commander in Chief unlike Japan and USA. No wonder the PRC communist party has never worked..

1 ( +4 / -3 )

@globalwatcher

Your post here has just confirmed my belief that setting up hotline with China may not work. China does not have a clear political system. You do not have a clear Commander in Chief unlike Japan and USA. No wonder the PRC communist party has never worked..

Get your facts straight sir! I AM MADE IN AMERICA! I see a lot of frustrated people calling me 50 cents army too. Sad!

While China have proper political structures just like in US or Japan, it could very well be SHORT CIRCUITED as I think is possible in the Three Headed Hydra hypothesis. The fundamental reason as I said is the military leaders and Mr Xi owes allegiance to the two elderly retired leaders Mr Hu and Mr Jiang.

IN THE US AND JAPAN YOU HAVE POLITICKING VIA LOBBYING TO SHORT CIRCUIT THE PROCESSES TOO BUT IN A MORE TRANSPARENT WAY if later investigation found out illegal acts were done by the executive branch! That is the big difference between China and democratic countries. So the hotline better lead to these two masters pulling the strings from behind!

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Tony EwFeb. 11, 2013 - 04:04AM JST

@globalwatcher

it could very well be SHORT CIRCUITED as I think is possible in the Three Headed Hydra hypothesis. The fundamental reason as I said is the military leaders and Mr Xi owes allegiance to the two elderly retired leaders Mr Hu and Mr Jiang

So it is still not very clear. Who is in charge for military decision? This is not a computer game. It is real and the stake is too high. Please let me know. Thanks.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

@globalwatcherFeb. 11, 2013 - 04:35AM JST

Tony EwFeb. 11, 2013 - 04:04AM JST

@globalwatcher it could very well be SHORT CIRCUITED as I think is possible in the Three Headed Hydra hypothesis. The fundamental reason as I said is the military leaders and Mr Xi owes allegiance to the two elderly retired leaders Mr Hu and Mr Jiang

So it is still not very clear. Who is in charge for military decision? This is not a computer game. It is real and the stake is too high. Please let me know. Thanks.

You heard of ROGUE PLA?

There is a lot of venom against Japan, feelings rightfully against Japan for denying WWII atrocities. It could EVEN be a rogue PLA navy guy taking matters into his own hand!

People simply have to accept the reality that the military in China may not be very disciplined! That is why I warned about the MAD Chinamen! THIS IS ESPECIALLY IN THE RADAR LOCK INCIDENT BECAUSE THE IMMINENT THREAT IS ONLY ABOUT 9 SECOND AWAY! I said the Chinese frigate sailing pass the Japanese navy, land air anti ship missiles nearby can be hit easily in under 10 minutes AND THE OVERWHELMING JAPANESE POWER NEARBY MAKE THE CHINESE CAPTAIN VERY NERVOUS, THAT IS THE REASON FOR HIS RADAR LOCK, warning the Japanese ship 3 km away to back off his harassment EVEN though he is in danger. He is gambling this incident will not repeat again!

So not just having a hotline, Japan MUST NOT trail a Chinese frigate FROM AN ADVANTAGEOUS POSITION! Japan can trail a Chinese frigate in the wide open, that is more equal, just like in the Cold War before.

Your guess as good as mine who is in charge of military decisions. In a SLOW MOTION situation, I think Mr Xi, but in a FAST TENSE SITUATION, perhaps the PLA leader or even the ROGUE ship captain make his own unilateral move or they 'follow the book'

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Your guess as good as mine who is in charge of military decisions. In a SLOW MOTION situation, I think Mr Xi, but in a FAST TENSE SITUATION, perhaps the PLA leader or even the ROGUE ship captain make his own unilateral move or they 'follow the book'

Thanks. Setting hotline sounds good, but in reality, it is just a pie in the sky.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

OK smith, we understand that you think a hotline between China and Japan is worthless. So worthless that you can turn it into a joke. A great many of us regardless of nationality or political beliefs think that war, or even an armed conflict is bad for everyone. And the ability of heads of state to directly communicate at a time of high tension where local miscalculation and errors could occur and trigger such conflict is a great idea. But of course, you feel otherwise.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@globalwatcherFeb. 11, 2013 - 05:21AM JST

Your guess as good as mine who is in charge of military decisions. In a SLOW MOTION situation, I think Mr Xi, but in a FAST TENSE SITUATION, perhaps the PLA leader or even the ROGUE ship captain make his own unilateral move or they 'follow the book'

Thanks. Setting hotline sounds good, but in reality, it is just a pie in the sky.

Yes, I am afraid in theory Hotline sounds good between China and Japan BUT THE PROBLEM MAY BE THE LACK OF MATURITY OF THE LEADERS FROM BOTH SIDES! Either of them may use the hotline to score political points, vent their anger UNLESS they set up a protocol that BAN SUCH COMMUNICATIONS! The FIRST WORD either party can utter into the hotline is "LET'S DE-ESCALATE" and we set up a working group to discuss how to prevent future recurrence and analyze why a dangerous event occur.

If ground rules are established the Hotline is a good idea!

The US/USSR probably have more maturity in their communications, but I am not sure about either Japan or China in their conduct unless ground rules are established as noted above.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Tony EwFEB. 11, 2013 - 04:04AM JST Get your facts straight sir! I AM MADE IN AMERICA! I see a lot of frustrated people calling me 50 cents army too. Sad!

Have you ever sat down and listened to the older Chinese-Americans from Taiwan, Hong Kong and the few from the mainland who came to the United States to escape the Communists?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

A worthwhile idea when considering the alternatives. Agree with the difficulties, but still if not used for grandstanding by both sides, then it could be beneficial since setting up these communications between leaders can be time consuming and impossible when time is of the essence.

My prediction and maybe we can see this on the chinadaily (as linked by globalwatcher), China will say it doesn't want to hear lies and refuses based on a false public relations excuse. I suggest people have a look at the Chinese English newspapers online to see the differences in language used.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Or, the classic response, no response means no.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

people are doing speed reading and it is necessary to grab attention ASAP

By using caps you ensure that people skim right past your post without bothering to read it because it's obviously written by someone who is yelling; wouldn't take the time to speak to such a person, not going to take the time to read them, either. If you think what you say is important, them say it clearly and concisely. No need to yell. You defeat your own object.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Tony EwFeb. 11, 2013 - 12:18AM JST @OssanAmericaFeb. 10, 2013 - 04:09PM JST ">Tony EwFEB. 10, 2013 - 01:12PM JST Remember my gripe with Japan is the devious mentality these leaders act. ALWAYS SHOOTING FROM BOTH SIDES >OF THEIR MOUTH! Almost impossible to have any trust with them! "That's exactly how the entire world feels about fascist China. What is undeniable is the fact that Abe's idea is designed to decrease the chances of armed conflict. I would have expected most people regardless of what country they support, to find this a good idea." The Rules of Engagement for a hotline between Japan and China if Abe agree should includes NO Propaganda from >Abe! Don't ever open your mouth with an accusation. Calm down! Ditto from China side. Fair enough? Even better, >have US involved to listen in since US is in the region, set up a CONFERENCE CALL and we all know what is going on!

If no propagada were allowed we (as in the whole world) probably wouldn't have any problem with China,

3 ( +3 / -0 )

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