Japan warns China of worsening ties over East China Sea dispute

It is funny bordering on the ridiculous if Kishida is coy about the cause of the tensions around the rocks in the Tiauyutai /Senkakus waters.

If Japan maintains its arrogant assertion that there is no territorial dispute regarding those rocks also claimed by China and the Taiwan Republic then me thinks either he is not fit for the job or he is actually a genius in prodding former enemy numero uno USA and current number one foe China to go to war for Japan!

Many are already wondering, maybe Trump included, why Japan is very busy and vocal about the South China Sea issues while stayin adamant in insisting the absence of territorial rift in the East China Sea .

Imagine how peaceful this Region would be if both Japan and China could work out their differences and dispute. To top it up with the removal of US military base in Okinawa as well.

REMEMBER how peaceful this region was before the war mongers China started pushing their weight around.

Mr. Nobumasa, of course they deny it. Imagine I steal your car and you catch me. Do you agree that there is a dispute between ownership? No you don't because in your mind there IS no dispute, its your car. By agreeing that there is a dispute you are saying I have a case.

RedcliffAug. 09, 2016 - 03:34PM JST Imagine how peaceful this Region would be if both Japan and China could work out their differences and dispute. To top >it up with the removal of US military base in Okinawa as well.

No need to imagine, Just remember how peaceful it was after the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Friendship was signed in 1972. Relations were so good that both nations reaffirmed it again in 1978. Everything changed after China's economic and military rise. China was simply biding it's time.

Japan government are just a bunch of hypocrites.

chubbychub AUG. 09, 2016 - 07:40PM JST Japan government are just a bunch of hypocrites

and of course China is the epitome of honesty and integrity - lucky for China they have people like you to support their war mongering

Japan, China, ASEAN should just get together and develop it together. USA should stay in America and butt out from Asia.

If the Chinese say the islands are no less than Chinese territory, then how much room for negotiation is there? The meeting won't worth the coffee.

Then will come clams to Ishigaki and the rest of the Yaeyama chain and then as they still say Okinawa is theirs too! With the Ryukyu's still Japanese and a military force close to Taiwan who the USA also has treaties to protect them invasion. If China could split the Ryukyu's and that would lead to the open invasion of Taiwan. Then they Have the Whole Eas and South China seas. Japan just needs to build a lighthouse and small radar station Fly the Rising Sun and still say what issue. build a pier for coast card ships and Fishing ships. Thats it over.

LMFAO China doesn't recognize the Hague rulling what makes Japan think they will settle the dispute through diplomatic channels? China is flexing its muscles and time will tell if they are trying to be a big dog with big teeth or a big dog with a loud bark and no teeth!

"Cheng said after the meeting that he told Kishida the islands were an integral part of China’s territory and that the dispute should be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.

@ Just a user:

The USA for one , only stated that those rocks are now administered by Japan but is neutral and doesn't take sides on the sovereignty issue.

That coming from the greatest superpower and the guardian of democracy and liberty on earth must at least carry some weight to those who agrees that there is indeed a territorial rift regarding those rocks than to those who blindly insists that there is none!

Don't you think so?

Who do you trusts more, the words of America or those of Kishida-Suga-Shinzo?

Two US Secretaries of Defense, Two US Secretaries of State, and the President of the United States have stated that the US would defend the Senkakus. Sounds like taking sides to me. So arguing about "sovereignty" is a waste of time.

Xi Jin-ping and Zhongnanhai should be given the strongest warning: Don't play fire with fire. There is still room for face- sanings--eg,.etopping their trespassing into the Japan Sea, as well as the Southeast Asia Sea.., Has Xi Jin-ping realized that his country is entering a dead end slum? The world opinion has been quite angry.

China: "Ohh, me sooo scared".

" So arguing about "sovereignty" is a waste of time."

Hhhmmmm, in that case there is really no need to argue with China on who owns their ' hybrid islands' in the South China Sea and so on with Putin with regards to Crimea!

We can all kiss the ruling of the Haque tribunal goodbye too!

Now , I have an inkling that this is the kind of mentality that is making Okinawa a perpetual American colony .

So sad that Abe , Suga and Kishida couldn't do anything to respect the wishes of the Ryukyuan people to cease being the 'Island of Bases' .

If only they could defend the Ryukyus against the Amerikano colonizer like they defend those unpopulated rocks yonder in the East China Sea very near Taiwan then Ryukyuans wouldn't feel being treated as 3rd class folks in their very own sacred islands.

REMEMBER how peaceful this region was before the war mongers China started pushing their weight around.

Remember how peaceful the region was before Japan decided to destroy the status quo and "nationalize the islands". They deserve every bit of the fallout.

Such rugged and picturesque islands those Japanese Senkaku islands are.

Bob SneiderAug. 10, 2016 - 03:12AM JST Remember how peaceful the region was before Japan decided to destroy the status quo and "nationalize the islands". >They deserve every bit of the fallout.

The Japanese government already owned one of the 5 islands. They bought 3 more from their JAPANESE OWNERS. They eve did so to prevent Ishihara from building on them. So the Japanese government acted to preserve the status quo, but China decided to use that as an excuse to lay claim to the islands. Even using the label "nationalized" as if Japan had invaded Chinese islands, instead of buying them from Japanese civilians. All part of China's insidious plan to take over the East and South China Seas.

Bob Sneider, your understanding of the dispute is quite right. Japan did change the status quo even after China warned not to do so. From private ownership to state ownership is what they called “nationalization” and that changed the status quo no matter how some people trying to distort the truth by creating the story about China’s plan of trying to take over the East and South China Seas. Since the Agreement to set aside the dispute has been broken China has to assert its sovereignty by patrolling the area. This has been expected by Japan since the beginning and used as a way to smear China and make China being seen as a bully. Heck, every time Japan poked at China, China always comes up with something to stay ahead of the game. Looking over the East China Sea and you will see that China can patrol in the area, China does not allow anyone on the islets, China declared ADIZ over the area, China has oil platforms in the area, and China has their fishermen there. So what did Japan get from it besides nationalizing the islets? China is creating facts on the ground and nobody can do anything about it, not even the US for sure. So stop poking at China already, Japan seems to be losing every time.

One of the 5 islands had always been owned by the Japanese government. In fact the US used it as live fire bombing ground. Does China think he US was dropping bombs on Chinese territory? Why didn't China complain about it? No status quo was changed, 3 islands owned by Japanese civilians were purchased by the Japanese government. If China wanted them so badly all they had to do was outbid the Japanese government and bought them. Nobody needs to smear or make China look like a bully, it is obvious to the entire world that it is a bully intent on taling over the east and south china seas, and has no respect or regard for international laws. If China does not respect the PAC ruling or UNCLOS to which it is a signatory, China should be thrown out of the UN and WTO and become like North Korea.

Look how silly it is to still think nothing changes by nationalization. Is there a difference between private land and state land? Japan has changed the status quo and then put the blame on China. China’s always been the one responding or reacting to the provocation. Can anyone come up with something that proves China was the first one poking at Japan or any country for that matters? You mentioned about international laws, what international laws when only a few countries supporting it? China has over 60 countries on its side. That’s international laws my friends. Do you ever wonder why after the ruling everything seemed to be so quiet even the Philippines were not in jubilation mode? That’s because the majority of the world are not on their side. And, what the UN and WTO have to do with the dispute? China has been contributing enormously to the UN and WTO, the US would have gone bankrupt without China’s help during the financial crisis and the rest of the world would still be in recession or depression.

When the 3 islands were purchased and became Japanese government property, did the administration or control of the islands change? Did any Chinese get injured, or were forced to flee their homes? Did China lose some vast resources? The answer is obviously no.In other words, China used the purchase as an excuse to lay claim to the Senkakus, all part of China's grand plan to lay claim to all of the East and South China Seas. The entire world is watching China behave like an uncivilized country, defying and berating international law and it's institutions, Xi Jinping outright lied to the United States last year when he claimed that China had no intention of militarizing the South China Sea. China is just like Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan of the 1930s, big chip on the shoulder, a need to seek revenge for past humiliation at the hands of foreign powers, a dictatorship with totalitarian control over the media and inciting hyper-nationalism in it's people. China's future will end very badly unless it changes it's current course.

The current Japanese government and some of their mouthpiece here seems to be suffering from selective amnesia, haha!

Before Xi there was Deng and when Japan signed the peace treaty with China, unceremoniously dumping Japan -friendly Taiwan, both sides upon the behest of China's paramount leader agreed to shelved the isles row for 100 years and let the wisdom of both nations youth to solve the problem.

The great super power America officially stated that Japan now administers the island-rocks BUT doesn't take sides on the sovereignty issue and wants all sides to settle the issue peacefully.

So far, only the Taiwan Republic have proposed an East China Sea Peace Iniatiative which was cold-shouldered by both Japan and China.

It seems the core of the current Japanese leadership are either suffering from Alzheimer's or are enjoying a fresh wave of Imperial de javu.

Bob SneiderAUG. 10, 2016 - 03:12AM JST Remember how peaceful the region was before Japan decided to destroy the status quo and "nationalize the islands". They deserve every bit of the fallout.

Do the acts of China seem like a balanced response to you? Trying to take over the whole ocean, building military outposts, upsetting other countries, not just Japan and alienating many countries with its war mongering. It was just fortunate for China that they could point the blame at Japan for something China had planned for a long time. China, like you, will blame anything they do on someone else, usually Japan - they are becoming everything they say Japan was 70 years ago.

The Sino-Japanese Treaty of Friendship was well before Deng Xiao Ping, It was between J-PM Kakuei Tanaka and Chou En Lai. In fact Mao TseTung himself approved it. I find it funny that today's ethnic Chinese have no knowledge of Chinese history,The United States didn't take a position on sovereignty back in 1951 because it was necessary to accommodate Taiwan, which had a claim on the Senkakus for fisheries resources, The PRC hijacked Taiwan's claim in 1971. The US has and continues to repeat that it will defend the Senkakus from invasion, making the official position on sovereignty pointless. China can not take the Senkakus without confronting the United States, The question now is whther China, drunk in nationalism feels ready to do just that. It s China that wants to enjoy reliving imperialism.

I hope this will afford a partial cure for those showing signs of early Alzheimer.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/09/07/national/history/discord-over-senkaku-islands-seen-as-historically-intractable-problem-for-china-and-tokyo/#.V6qTqJqeqnM

Imagine how peaceful this Region would be if both Japan and China could work out their differences and dispute.

They won't. Japan, traditionally, has always looked down on China as inferiors. There is too much hidden hatred and mistrust.

To top it up with the removal of US military base in Okinawa as well.

That would be great. The people of Okinawa don't want them there. Yet, the population of mainland Japan are the benefactors of a US presence on Okinawa. All the regional security is bestowed here.

Hoping this will refresh everyone sipping Ryukyuan tea right now:

<>http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/09/07/national/history/discord-over-senkaku-islands-seen-as-historically-intractable-problem-for-china-and-tokyo/#.V6qTqJqeqnM<>

Wc626Aug. 10, 2016 - 11:56AM JST "Imagine how peaceful this Region would be if both Japan and China could work out their differences and dispute".

They won't. Japan, traditionally, has always looked down on China as inferiors. There is too much hidden hatred and >mistrust.

Blatantly incorrect information. China was the center of culture and knowledge in East Asia for thousands of years, and influenced countries around it. The Japanese made their first biggest cultural move forward with Kanji and Buddhism that came from China. To this day they call it Kanji (Han Ji) as in Han China. Japanese have traditionally respected China for centuries. That changed in the 1800s following Britain's humiliation of China in the Opium Wars, and the rising fear that Japan could also become the target of Western colonialism. That's the second cultural jump- westernization to avoid becoming a colony and to play the same game as the West. Respect for China was lost during it's "sick ,an of Asia" days. Even after WWII and the CCPs takeover, there was no "looking down" at China. At least until China's cultural revolution that destroyed most of what was good about Chinese culture. In 1972 both nations signed the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Friendship, which was even reaffirmed in 1978. Sino-Japanese relations remained good until China's hawks decided to unveil their strategic goals of taking over the East and South China Seas after 2010. The adoption of anti-Japanese sentiment by China as an official diplomatic and political tool is what has lowered the view of China in the eyes of Japanese people.

A lot of back-and-forth re the East china Sea. To perhaps clarify where the real problem lies in that area, look at what is happening in the South china Sea - cannot blame Japan for instigating the issues there. There is a common denominator, which is plain to all of the world to see.

OssanAmerica, to answer your questions let me ask you this, did the number of Japanese government properties increased after nationalization? If the answer is yes, then the status quo has been changed. The words “purchased and became” already denote the change in status quo. The substance of control has been strengthened and Chinese sovereignty has been weakened because of nationalization, after a few decades later Japan can say those islands have been government properties for decades. The nationalization also stirred up Chinese nationalism and disrupted trades. Xi Jinping told the truth about China had no intention of militarizing the artificial islands in the South China Sea and not the whole South China Sea. SCS has been the focal point because of the US interference. The US called it FONOP by using military ships even when the freedom of navigation has never ever been threatened The US and Japan have been visiting many countries surrounding China in an effort to gain supports but failed miserably. You also fail to see that China doesn’t need to invade the islets, just waiting for Japan to fire the first shot then the treaty would be meaningless. That’s why Japan is so afraid to get into an accident with Chinese navy. You were right though, “China was the center of culture and knowledge in East Asia for thousands of years, and influenced countries around it,” and it will be the center of the world once again in the near future. But you were wrong about “the adoption of anti-Japanese sentiment by China,” have you read the news recently, increasing number of Chinese visitors to Japan is staggering and the sales of Japanese cars in China are also shocking. These seem to be in contrary to the notion “anti-Japanese sentiment.” I know it’s hard to face the facts that China is not what you think of it in your mind, China only cares about making money that’s why it’s trying to avoid a blockage by the US in the SCS which the US had done to Japan before. In a decade time Chinese navy will be on par with the US so by that time everything will fall in place where China is the center of all commercial networks and connections. Japan will fall to the forth or fifth place in the scheme of things to come.

flowersAug. 11, 2016 - 01:55AM JST OssanAmerica, to answer your questions let me ask you this, did the number of Japanese government properties >increased after nationalization? If the answer is yes, then the status quo has been changed. The words “purchased and >became” already denote the change in status quo. The substance of control has been strengthened and Chinese >sovereignty has been weakened because of nationalization, after a few decades later Japan can say those islands >have been government properties for decades.

Nonsense. China has no sovereignty over the Senkakus, they are simply claiming it. And arguing that the insignificant increase in territory from 3 tiny islands constitutes a change in status quo" is absurd. Japan can already say that those islands have been Japanese for decades since China has zero evidence of every having controlled them. The only evidence of human habitation is Japanese.

The nationalization also stirred up Chinese nationalism and disrupted trades.

That is only because the Chinese government riled up the population with nationalism by making "nationalization" the equivalent of an invasion. What if they had said the J-govt BOUGHT 3 islands from J-civilians? As for disrupting trades, it is China and China alone that mixes trade with geopolitics, a practice introduced by their stopping the export of rare metals. Thankfully the world learned never to rely completely on China as an only source.

Xi Jinping told the truth about China had no intention of militarizing the artificial islands in the South China Sea and not >the whole South China Sea.

"“China does not intend to pursue militarization,” Mr. Xi said, referring to the area as the Nansha Islands, a Chinese name for what most of the rest of the world calls the Spratlys in the South China Sea.

The most recent satellite photographs suggest a different plan. The photos, collected and scrutinized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based research organization, show the construction of what appear to be reinforced aircraft hangars at Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief Reefs, all part of the disputed territories." http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/09/world/asia/china-spratly-islands-south-china-sea.html?_r=0

SCS has been the focal point because of the US interference. The US called it FONOP by using military ships even >when the freedom of navigation has never ever been threatened

The US Navy has patrolled the SCS for decades and will continue to do so. Lest China do something stupid again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLALMQy8cq8

The US and Japan have been visiting many countries surrounding China in an effort to gain supports but failed >miserably.

Actually it's succeeding more than expected, thanks to China's uncivilized attitude towards the rule of international law and the continued militarization of the SCS.

You also fail to see that China doesn’t need to invade the islets, just waiting for Japan to fire the first shot then the >treaty would be meaningless. That’s why Japan is so afraid to get into an accident with Chinese navy.

China CAN'T invade the Senkakus. The United States has told them so.

You were right though, “China was the center of culture and knowledge in East Asia for thousands of years, and >influenced countries around it,” and it will be the center of the world once again in the near future.

Not with the CCP dictatorship governing it. This is the 21st century now.

But you were wrong about “the adoption of anti-Japanese sentiment by China,” have you read the news recently, increasing number of Chinese visitors to Japan is staggering and the sales of Japanese cars in China are also shocking. These seem to be in contrary to the notion “anti-Japanese sentiment.”

That is because as there are many brainwashed Chinese drunk on Nazi-like hyper-nationalism, there are those who see the CCP government for what it is. And even Chinese consumers know that Japanese products are better than those made in their own country.

I know it’s hard to face the facts that China is not what you think of it in your mind, China only cares about making >money that’s why it’s trying to avoid a blockage by the US in the SCS which the US had done to Japan before. In a >decade time Chinese navy will be on par with the US so by that time everything will fall in place where China is the >center of all commercial networks and connections.

Everything that China is doing now in the East and South China Seas, turning all of Asia and the free world against it will keep China from ever becoming great again. It will eventually go too far and be put down.

Japan will fall to the forth or fifth place in the scheme of things to come. What a chip on your shoulder. Japan remains today the most important democratic country in East Asia and will remain so unless China can dump the CCP.

Who do you trusts more, the words of America or those of Kishida-Suga-Shinzo?

Hah! That's one of those trick questions. Like "Which would you rather eat? A cockroach or a centipede?"

Who trusts China?

"“China does not intend to pursue militarization,” Mr. Xi said, referring to the area as the Nansha Islands, a Chinese name for what most of the rest of the world calls the Spratlys in the South China Sea.

The most recent satellite photographs suggest a different plan. The photos, collected and scrutinized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based research organization, show the construction of what appear to be reinforced aircraft hangars at Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief Reefs, all part of the disputed territories."

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/09/world/asia/china-spratly-islands-south-china-sea.html?_r=0

"US State Department Press Office Director Elizabeth Trudeau told reporters on Tuesday that Washington does not take a position on the question of the sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands."

My english understanding is not so good , will someone please explain the above statement since me got pretty confused since the Shinzo-Suga-Kishida triplets insist there is no territorial rift in those rocks in the ECS.

BTW, Miss Trudeau made those statements like 27 hrs ago and not in 1971!

Hiro S NobumasaAug. 11, 2016 - 12:37PM JST "US State Department Press Office Director Elizabeth Trudeau told reporters on Tuesday that Washington does not take a position on the question of the sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands." My english understanding is not so good , will someone please explain the above statement since me got pretty confused >since the Shinzo-Suga-Kishida triplets insist there is no territorial rift in those rocks in the ECS.

Doesn't make any difference for you. Nothing to be confused about. China can forget the Senkakus. The United States does not officially recognize any country's sovereignty over the Senkakus however it s recognized that they have been and are administered by Japan is recognized and they are included in the US-Japan Mutuial Defense Treaty, The U.S. will defend the Senkakus from Chinese invasion. Japan claims sovereignty and does not recognize China's claim. Hence there is no dispute. Japan will defend the Senkakus from Chinese invasion.

OssanAmerica, you didn’t answer my question that leads me to believe that there was a change in status quo which upset China. And, there are plenty of evidence that the islands belong to China you just didn’t want to admit it. Without the nationalization there wouldn’t be a need to rile up nationalism and mixing trade with geopolitics are quite normal, don’t tell me you are too naïve to know this.

Satellite photos showing aircraft hangars, placing missiles on one of the islands, and oil platforms with radar, these all mean someone keeps spying on China, and they come up with all sorts of speculations. Did you ever hear that China showed disturbing satellite photos of other countries? No, never because China always minds its own business.

Yes, the US Navy always says it has been doing this and that for decades, yet you never doubt why it has to do that half the world away. It’s called “hegemony.” And, don’t say it’s for protection because there wouldn’t be Korean war or Vietnam war if the US was not there. How many more people have to die before you will call the US “the beast in the clown clothing.” Believe me without the US there Asia will be more peaceful. And, without the US troops Japan will not have to be afraid that North Korea will pound it to oblivion. It’s the US imperialism that causes all the havoc in the world today, the war with ISIS will never end until the US puts down arms and admits its failure just like Vietnam.

When you say, “Actually it's succeeding more than expected, thanks to China's uncivilized attitude towards the rule of international law and the continued militarization of the SCS,” do you have any proofs or just trying to make yourself feel better? Both the US and Japan denied or went against the rulings of the Courts before so are they also uncivilized? According to you, “China CAN'T invade the Senkakus. The United States has told them so,” but China has no intention to invade or stir up troubles at all, everything that has been happening in East and South East Asia has been the results of countries poking at China and China has to respond. The key player behind the curtain has always been the US. And, I don’t know what you mean when you say, “It will eventually go too far and be put down,” how can China go too far when everything it has done is just responding to the provocation.

In the end you don’t like China because China is not a democratic country and I may add without freedom all because of the CCP. Do you judge a government by its achievements or by its ideology? China under CCP has become the second largest economy from the zero base and has moved over 600 million people out of poverty in the matter of only a few decades. If you have been to China, you will know how amazing it’s become. People are free to make money and get rich. They don’t care about politics, that’s why they have the government for. Those in government are selected from the best and the brightest, but you can’t say the same about the US. In the US during the election, who is the most absurd or rude would gain the most points. Do you notice that recently the US seems to be in the trial and error mode, it had selected the strong (Bush), the performer (Reagan), the minority (Obama), and I bet pretty soon there would be the female (Hillary), by the way they are all rich and lots of connections. It’s like someone is arranging all these. So I doubt that the US is really a democratic country, by name yes, but in reality it isn’t. Look at polls how many people go out and vote. Land of the free they called it, in certain places I don’t even want to walk through, afraid being shot at. The US has not been improving, it’s stagnant, whenever someone trying to do something good for the majority it’s got shot down or delayed for years. Do you believe that it’s one of the most modern countries in the world but no high-speed train and infrastructures are crumbling and the poor are increasing in numbers not decreasing. So what went wrong, where are the achievements besides killing innocent people in other parts of the world.

Flowers, there was no "change in Status Quo". Your argument that the miniscule increase in acreage owned by the J-govt constituted a change instatus quo is ridiculous. There are 5 islands. One has always been owned by the J-govt. The same government PURCHASED from Japanese civilian owners 3 more islands. There is 1 more that is still owned by a Japanese civilian. None of these affects China's position, they have been and continue to be under Japanese control. Whining that 3 of the islands were "nationalized" was merely an excuse to commence the offensive to take the Senkakus. Now China can kiss the idea goodbye unless it wants to deal with the United States.

OssanAmerica, now you admitted that there was “the miniscule increase,” the point is Japanese government should leave everything “as is”, let the status quo intact. Number of private ownership should have been the same throughout. The change affects China’s position in that it weakens China’s sovereignty status and strengthens Japan’s control position because now Japanese government owns four of the islets instead of just one. “A dot on the I and a cross over the t,” means only a slight change can cause the whole agreement invalid. Besides, if “they have been and continue to be under Japanese control,” why Japan has to care when China patrols the area since there is no change in control. So how could you call it “offensive” when the control remains the same? I can guarantee you this after China settles with the Philippines there will be no need to deal with the US because the US will keep quiet and not interfering any more. See for yourself how the Philippine president called the US ambassador, and how he was so upset about the US interfering in the Philippines’ domestic matters. The US is now in the patching up mode. Maybe, Duterte is not that easy to bribe.