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Xi denounces 'purchase' of Diaoyu isles as farce
Source: Agencies |
September 20, 2012, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping has denounced Japan's so-called purchase of China's Diaoyu Islands as a farce and said Tokyo should "rein in its behavior."
Tensions have run high on land and at sea, with four days of major protests in cities across China and Japanese and Chinese boats stalking each other in waters around the islands in the East China Sea.
"Japan should rein in its behavior and stop any words and acts that undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Xi said during a meeting with visiting US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta yesterday.
China's Foreign Ministry said the recent widespread anti-Japan protests reflected the Chinese public's firm resolution to safeguard sovereignty.
"The recent anti-Japan demonstrations are purely caused by the illegal purchase of the islands by the Japanese government," said ministry spokesman Hong Lei. "They reflect Chinese people's strong appeals on protesting Japan's acts that undermine China's territorial sovereignty and promoting justice."
The Japanese government should hear the firm resolution of the Chinese people from the demonstrations, said Hong when asked to comment on Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's request that China compensate Japanese enterprises for their losses during the protests.
Hong said that the Chinese government would protect the safety of foreign diplomatic missions, personnel and institutions in accordance with law, adding that relevant cases would be properly handled.
Chinese police cleared roadblocks and some Japanese businesses reopened yesterday after days of angry protests.
Beijing sanitation workers used high-pressure hoses to erase the stains of paint bombs hurled at the Japanese Embassy the day before. Roadblocks were removed, allowing for normal traffic around the embassy, and police shooed pedestrians away.
Many Japanese shops, restaurants and factories in China that closed to avoid being targeted by protesters were open again.
Japanese-invested businesses, including garment retailer Uniqlo, 7-Eleven convenience store chains and camera maker Canon had temporarily padlocked shops amid safety fears. They reopened yesterday.
There were anti-Japan protests in many Chinese cities over the weekend. More demonstrations followed on Tuesday, the 81st anniversary of Japan's invasion of China, an emotional remembrance that further stoked the outrage.
In Beijing, the bitterness reached the US Embassy, with about 50 protesters surrounding the car of US Ambassador Gary Locke, trying to block him from entering the compound.
Locke told reporters that Chinese authorities were "very quick" to move the demonstrators away. "It was all over in a matter of minutes, and I never felt in any danger," he said.
The United States, a close ally of Japan, has said it is staying out of the dispute.
Hong said the incident was "an individual case," but that China was investigating it.
China has sent patrol ships to the waters around the islands surrounded by rich fishing grounds and as-yet untapped underwater natural resources. Hundreds of Chinese fishing boats were heading to the waters around the islands for seasonal fishing.
Hong said such activities were within China's rights.
"It is totally legitimate and reasonable for Chinese fishing vessels to fish in relevant waters," he said.
Tensions have run high on land and at sea, with four days of major protests in cities across China and Japanese and Chinese boats stalking each other in waters around the islands in the East China Sea.
"Japan should rein in its behavior and stop any words and acts that undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Xi said during a meeting with visiting US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta yesterday.
China's Foreign Ministry said the recent widespread anti-Japan protests reflected the Chinese public's firm resolution to safeguard sovereignty.
"The recent anti-Japan demonstrations are purely caused by the illegal purchase of the islands by the Japanese government," said ministry spokesman Hong Lei. "They reflect Chinese people's strong appeals on protesting Japan's acts that undermine China's territorial sovereignty and promoting justice."
The Japanese government should hear the firm resolution of the Chinese people from the demonstrations, said Hong when asked to comment on Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's request that China compensate Japanese enterprises for their losses during the protests.
Hong said that the Chinese government would protect the safety of foreign diplomatic missions, personnel and institutions in accordance with law, adding that relevant cases would be properly handled.
Chinese police cleared roadblocks and some Japanese businesses reopened yesterday after days of angry protests.
Beijing sanitation workers used high-pressure hoses to erase the stains of paint bombs hurled at the Japanese Embassy the day before. Roadblocks were removed, allowing for normal traffic around the embassy, and police shooed pedestrians away.
Many Japanese shops, restaurants and factories in China that closed to avoid being targeted by protesters were open again.
Japanese-invested businesses, including garment retailer Uniqlo, 7-Eleven convenience store chains and camera maker Canon had temporarily padlocked shops amid safety fears. They reopened yesterday.
There were anti-Japan protests in many Chinese cities over the weekend. More demonstrations followed on Tuesday, the 81st anniversary of Japan's invasion of China, an emotional remembrance that further stoked the outrage.
In Beijing, the bitterness reached the US Embassy, with about 50 protesters surrounding the car of US Ambassador Gary Locke, trying to block him from entering the compound.
Locke told reporters that Chinese authorities were "very quick" to move the demonstrators away. "It was all over in a matter of minutes, and I never felt in any danger," he said.
The United States, a close ally of Japan, has said it is staying out of the dispute.
Hong said the incident was "an individual case," but that China was investigating it.
China has sent patrol ships to the waters around the islands surrounded by rich fishing grounds and as-yet untapped underwater natural resources. Hundreds of Chinese fishing boats were heading to the waters around the islands for seasonal fishing.
Hong said such activities were within China's rights.
"It is totally legitimate and reasonable for Chinese fishing vessels to fish in relevant waters," he said.
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