Russia rejects China's offer to help with Japan dispute

When Captains talk, Sailors must be silent.

China thinks they can treat Russia like South Korea? Russia was a superpower when China's public toilets were holes in the ground and everyone was riding bicycles in Mao suits.

Pathetic.

Russia doesn't need China. But it's very clear that China needs Russia's support because China's claim is bogus and can't stand on its own.

That's what we used to call a good slap upside the head. Undiplomatic, but sometimes necessary.

This news is suspect. Why would China want to help resolve Japan/Russia land dispute? China sees no harm if that dispute never resolves. They might even secretly hope to prolong that dispute, as a distraction to Japan, in the same manner Japan secretly hopes that China's disputes with India, Vietnam and Philippines should never resolve.

Russia rejects China's offer to help with Japan dispute

Kind of like a wolf offering to help a sheepdog watch the sheep.

ReformedBasher: "Pathetic."

Agreed. I don't think China would 'help' with anything, and good on Russia for rejecting the offer. But, since you mention 'pathetic', China offering to help Russia is not all that unlike nations in SE Asia 'helping' Japan to isolate China. Both are pathetic, if you ask me, and this is no less pathetic than Japan going around asking for help (not being offered it for that matter).

rsgz4gg7y2Feb. 07, 2014 - 08:50AM JST This news is suspect. Why would China want to help resolve Japan/Russia land dispute?

The article does not say that China wants to "help resolve" the dispute. It simply is offering to support Russia's position in return for Russia supporting China's position on the Senkakus to which Russia told them to take a flying hike. China is steaming that India to the South and Russia to the north can't be convinced to "hate Japan".

Russia and Japan should give the islands, Hokkaido, and Sakhalin back to the Ainu. And Japan, China, and Taiwan should turn over all the islands from Formosa to Okinawa back to the Polynesian Ryukyu people. And America should give back Hawaii to the Hawaiians. I know it is a pipe dream fantasy, but it would be a nice thing to do. Indigenous peoples deserve better in this modern age from the superpower overlords.

Didn't China say that disputes with all of it's neighbors in the South China Sea would be handled bilaterally and it would not negotiate with multiple members at once?

So why is it okay for China to propose multilateral negotiation for the Kuriles, which are not near China and have nothing to do with China?

I can see their logic now: "China supports Russia's claims to the Kuriles, because Japan is a baaaaad country!"

Glad to see that Russia is taking a mature outlook on the situation, and also glad to see that China is showing it's true face for the world to see.

Russia rejects China's offer to help with Japan dispute

Nations can actually be diplomatic without the need for a spoiled child trying to stick his nose where it doesn't belong.

China needs to butt out, glad to see it got the boot.

Love their ,"we are important mentality".

In other words, Russia is acting like a mature adult while China is acting like a little brat kid.

Huh, so the Red father (Russia) has effectively told his son (China) to go to his room. Russia is looking to settle its dispute with Japan diplomatically. China on the over hand only provokes and refuses to take the issue up with ICJ, knowing full well that they would lose, hence why they provoke instead. It's the same with South Korea and Takeshima. SK knows it has no chance of a favourable result at ICJ, so takes to sniping at Japan like China's lapdog instead. Pitiful. Nice to see that Putin is actually being responsible, not a petulant child.

It is always good to know where one stands in a negotiation. Shinzo Abe is in an especially weak position after his clownish speeches at Davos and around the world where Japan's deceit has been thrown into the lime light. A statement or report like this would throw off any other third party intervention ( America ) and reduce the tension for China. After milking Shinzo Abe's offers and more the screws could then be tightened and the Kurile Islands issue put back in front together with China and South Korea. Much as America keeps on with its double talk, when trouble really starts especially a one-time hit on Tokyo, America will not want to intervene unless it wants to make this the Third World War. And who loses? It is the people of Japan. Not Shinzo Abe with his personal ambition or his wealthy compatriots who would be long gone before trouble starts. It is the ordinary people of Japan who will be paying for Shinzo Abe's sins. They certainly do not deserve this.

The islands are settled and are actively being used by Russians. They are not rocks acting as place holders for resources. Both sides are actively mentioning the issue when they meet so everything is working, slowly.

China disregards international norms and shows the hatred and inferior complex toward Japan. Surprise that Russia did not bite into this bribery and poison dumplings. More and more, the world sees the real face of communist China, and that is not pretty at all.

Nice to see China trying to be a positive force for change.

@ shinhiyata

Well said! People forget about the indigenous or native peoples, which is sad because we are all Native People. Some of us have been so "civilized" that we forget this truth.

China is asking for help? Chicken I suppose.

“So far, President Putin has been consistent (in asserting Russian ownership)...which is not at all acceptable for us,” he said.

Well, accept it. Just as you should accept the fact that there is a dispute over the Diaoyu islands. I think in this case though, Russia doesn`t want to be seen as being too closely aligned to China. I can see Abe and Putin getting closer though. Putin has been shunned by the US for his apparently "anti-gay" stance etc, and Abe has been shunned for his Yasukuni visit.

....and THIS is the SECOND most FUNNY thing I've read about reported in the news, in J-Pan...

In other words, China wants an under the table transaction but Russia says "I'm more than capable to handle my own shtuff, boya." Russia and China are obligated to help each other to maintain their redness if push comes to shove but other than that, it's everyone for themselves. Maybe China has to throw in something bigger. Or maybe China can go low but Czar Putin has his pride.

Hmm, its in China and Russias best interests to team up on this one

The U.S. with Okinawa should had done the same as Russia. A lot less headaches that way, for both sides.

Even Russia gives China the finger, knowing what pathetic low life the CCP is.

The key is "Japan- Soviet Joint Declaration of 1956". It says that Soviet Union is to return Habomai islands and Shikotan island to Japan when peace treaty between the two nations are concluded.

Japan got a bit greedy and claiming other two much bigger islands, Etorofu and Kunashiri, citing Cairo Declaration, that taking of Etorofu and Kunashiri by Soviet would be territorial expansion.

The Three Great Allies are fighting this war to restrain and punish the aggression of Japan. They covet no gain for themselves and have no thought of territorial expansion.

I personally think Japan should settle with Habomai and Shikotan as it agreed with Soviet Union in 1956.

Currently, there is no tension in the area and "help" of China would be no help for Russians.

The key is "Japan- Soviet Joint Declaration of 1956". It says that Soviet Union is to return Habomai islands and Shikotan island to Japan when peace treaty between the two nations are concluded.

On this point I find myself in agreement, Japan should take the offer and be done with it

"Russia has rejected a Chinese offer to cooperate on their separate territorial rows with Japan"

Ha! So...I guess China isn't diplomatically isolated concerning its illegal claims to other nations' territories or internationally open waterways, now, is it? Why, just to name a few, it has the solid backing of...well, at least the nominal support from...uh...let's see...

Well! I'm sure there's a country somewhere (in far away Africa or South America, perhaps?) that would agree to lend China tepid support for its outrageous and unilateral Asian claims...for the right price, of course...

I believe that Russia understands Japan as a peaceful country after the war, but when looking at China, besides being an arms buyer, does not support all the aggression China is putting forth against everyone in the region, on its borders with its neighbors and thousands of miles off its shores.. China is the outright aggressor in the region today, not even Russia want that!

Kick in the teeth for china, just what it needs to get its head right

WA4TKGFeb. 07, 2014 - 01:21PM JST ....and THIS is the SECOND most FUNNY thing I've read about reported in the news, in J-Pan...

What was the first?

China is the good guy and wants peace?

BellpeppersFeb. 07, 2014 - 02:03PM JST In other words, China wants an under the table transaction but Russia says "I'm more than capable to handle my own shtuff, boya."

Nailed it!

aussie-musashiFeb. 07, 2014 - 02:08PM JST Hmm, its in China and Russias best interests to team up on this one

How much do the Communist pay you?

Communist China has no business in these talks, it is being held by mature nations not by childish ones.

You have a pretty good grasp of English you could probably get a good job doing something else!

aussie-musashiFeb. 07, 2014 - 02:54PM JST On this point I find myself in agreement, Japan should take the offer and be done with it

Okay, now you have jumped out the window without your ever present Communist propaganda parachute.

Each and every time you have ever opened your mouth in an opinion for or against Communist China you have sided against Japan just because you could. Don't try and make this time seem as if it some thing new or spontaneous! You are still siding with Communist China!

More hypocrisy coming from a Communist!

CGB SpenderFeb. 07, 2014 - 02:41PM JST Even Russia gives China the finger, knowing what pathetic low life the CCP is.

Exactly, but the Communist here think that Communist China is more important than it really is.

@Smith

Both are pathetic, if you ask me

I agree. I'd much prefer for the Japanese government not to lower itself to CCP standards.

More hypocrisy coming from a Communist!

Far from it. Im surprised your post hasnt been deleted. I used to think that China and South Korea were harping on too much about past grievances, but after many years in Japan, seeing the conservative agenda of the LDP and their revisionist views pushed on a largely apathetic populace, I`ve concluded South Korea and China do have a point. For that matter, Russia is being very generous in offering to return two of the islands.

The title is misleading. Which sentence states that Russia or Putin "REJECTED" China's offer?

I only see that some Japanese Foreign Ministry guy is assuming that Russia will not agree with China's proposition.

There is a major difference between Russia rejecting and Japanese thinking Russia will reject.

I think there is some wishful thinking among certain parties involved here.

This is truly excellent news, and evidence that Abe's efforts to engage Russia in dialogue is bearing fruit. Man would I love to see those commie's faces when Putin told them to mind their own business. Sure hope Abe knows how to keep this relationship moving forward.

Russia will never give up control over the islands.

China and Russia know how to play hanky-panky on the Japanese as well as the Yankies. Just like how both Taiwanese and the Chineses had been playing out U.S all along these decades. Never admits truth for real! The world would be very scared and worried!

What happened to China's favorite motto often said to the rest of the world "Mind your own business?"

"Soviet troops took the islands in the final days of World War II, turfing out several hundred Japanese who lived there at the time."

Might is right, lol.

@Joe Biggs: In Australia, the Chinese have overtaken the Asian Studies departments of every university. Full fee paying Chinese students are keeping the Australian University system alive, and the universities are bending over to keep it that way. There is an agenda in place to brainwash the next generation of Australians to hate Japan and side with Japan in the event of future conflict. I can only guess that Musashi is a victim of this manipulation.

While the rest of the world is criticising Russia endlessly over anything and everything, Abe is journeying to Sochi in a show of support. Despite the annual rally for the return of the islands, this can only mean good things for the future of Soviet-Japanese relations. Don't forget that despite their recent joint military operations, the Chinese and Soviets still have some contentious border issues of their own. China and the Soviets were ready to nuke each other in the 60s and 70s over border disputes, and lots of people are not happy with the agreements that have been reached over the last twenty years.

@ shinhiyata America should give back Hawaii to the Hawaiians do you really think the Hawaiians want that? YOu are right that is a big dream!

highball7Feb. 07, 2014 - 08:21PM JST The title is misleading. Which sentence states that Russia or Putin "REJECTED" China's offer? I only see that some Japanese Foreign Ministry guy is assuming that Russia will not agree with China's proposition

The title is not misleading and the source wasn't just "Japanese Foreign Ministry guy", please read carefully what the paper said...

The offer has been made repeatedly since 2010, the paper said, citing diplomatic sources in Russia and Japan, but has always been brushed off.

aussie-musashiFeb. 07, 2014 - 06:38PM JST Far from it. Im surprised your post hasnt been deleted.

The reason it hasn't is that I stayed on topic and spoke the truth about your positions. So if I am mistaken and you have sided against Communist China or Korea, please by all means point out when.

aussie-musashiFeb. 07, 2014 - 06:38PM JST I used to think that China and South Korea were harping on too much about past grievances, but after many years in Japan,

When?

Why is China focusing on the South China Sea, where it has no legal standing, instead of trying to get back the lands that Russia stole from it?

Primorye, which is now in Russian hands, has always belonged to China. When the Qing dynasty was weak, Russia stole that peninsula by forcing China to sign the humiliating Treaty of Peking in the mid-1800's. Whether by war or coercion, this vast territory must be returned to China for the good of the Chinese people. One obvious benefit is that the port of Vladivostok will provide the PRC with the access it needs to the Pacific Ocean, without having to sail across the first island chain past Japan's batteries of SSM's.

In addition, much of Russia's Far East, rich in oil and gas and timber, also belongs to China. Don't you think it's time for China to take back these valuable assets for the sake of Chinese industry, instead of engaging in an expensive war with the US, Japan and ASEAN? War for what? For some rocks and reefs of dubious value in the open sea? Do you really want to be mired in the jungles of Vietnam or the Philippines when the US and Japan are providing those guerrillas with the most advanced weaponry and tactical aid possible? Don't make any mistake about it, endless guerrilla wars in these countries would sap China’s strength and will. In the end, all party leaders would be tried as war criminals and hanged.

Why are the Chinese so focused on these spurious maritime claims anyway, which they cannot hope to win, when a much bigger and far more legitimate prize awaits you on their land borders. Russia stole unimaginably vast territories known as "China's Northeast" and "China's Far West," all rich in natural resources. In addition, Russia is now in the process of exploiting those regions of oil and gas and selling those commodities back to China. Isn't that embarrassing, even humiliating? How do you suppose China feels about having to buy back their own oil and gas from those who stole their energy stocks in the first place?

With our blessing, the PLA can take back China's Northeast without any interference from the US, Japan and ASEAN. None of the European countries will side with Russia either. These lands are indisputably Chinese territory, and China's claims can be upheld in the International Court System. Why don’t they? Are Russians their friends and allies? Or are they taking advantage of the Chinese? Are they the ones who, fearing that China would want their northern and western territories back, turned China's attention to the South China Sea and the East China Sea, where they had little hope of gaining any headway and every chance of alienating the world? Has Russian propaganda turned China's largest customers and benefactors into cut-throat competitors and militaristic enemies, thus stopping China's Peaceful Rise? Is Russia really China's friend? Really?

You have only to tear off Russia's sheep clothing to see the wolf lurking underneath, tearing at China's soft underbelly.