Conflict between China and Japan over Diaoyu Islands

There is an outcry of angry protests and demonstrations across China and among the chinese diaspora worldwide to give unreserved support to China when the Japanese Government announced on 10th September 2012 the “purchase” of Diaoyu Islands. This is a move to snatch them away with the connivance of some and that grossly violates China ‘s territorial sovereignty and tramples on historical facts and international jurisprudence. This is an act of provocation on the part of unrepentant Japan. It has unfortunately not learnt from the past lessons of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, two nuclear bombs ironically dropped by its current ally USA (…). China of the 21st century for sure is not China of the days of Nanjing massacre. The days are gone. Japan must not be under the illusion that the rising dragon will barter away its territories and sit idly by when its territorial sovereignty is at stake. China is firmly opposed to such provocation and has taken resolute measures to curb such outrageous act. The position of China is clear-cut and it means business. There is no dilly-dally. It will defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs even though the USA has made it clear that the Japan-USA Security Treaty would come into force and USA will intervene with its active military alignment in case of escalating conflict. We come to understand who is now pulling the strings behind the curtains especially when earlier during the normalization of their 40-year relations China and Japan have agreed to use their respective currencies in their bilateral trade instead of US dollar. Is it a mere coincidence that it comes at a time when China is emerging as the second world economic nation ? Political analysts have succinctly remarked that some Japanese right-wing leaders live in the 21st century but they look at the world with spectacles of the 20th century. On the horizon, general elections are looming in Japan. It can be used to catch votes – a machiavelic plan concocted to fuel Japanese patriotism.
Since the Ming dynasty in 1372 Diaoyu Islands were under the jurisdiction of China, as revealed by historical records. For generations Chinese fishermen have engaged in fishing activities in these waters. Since the normalization of the relations between China and Japan in 1972 both sides have agreed to allow their fishermen to operate in the waters surrounding the islands without resolving the issue of ownership. These islands are reckoned as an inherent territory of China as the Cairo Declaration in December 1943 stated clearly in explicit terms : « All territories Japan has stolen from the Chinese such as Manchuria and Formosa (Taiwan) and the Pescadores shall be restored to the People’s Republic of China. Japan will also be expelled from all other territories which she has taken by violence and greed ». In July 1945 the Potsdam Proclamation stated in Article 8 – « The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out ». On 29 September 1972, the Japanese Government committed itself with all seriousness in Sino-Japan Joint statement that the « the Government of Japan fully understands and respects this stand of the Government of the People’s Republic of China ». Today this inexplicable volte-face of Japan undermines the political foundation of 40-year Sino-Japan relations. This is an extremely dangerous direction and with escalating tension the region on a powder-keg can be set ablaze. Such distortion of history can bring harm to Japan itself while hurting others. On 11th September 2012 the Japanese patrol vessel detained the captain and the crew of the Chinese boat after a collision at sea and this was a mere provocation. British newspaper The Daily Telegraph ‘s website published an article written by the Chinese Ambassador to Britain that states that the “purchase” of the Diaoyu Islands by the Japanese Government is sacrilegious, null and void, and he reminds Japan of the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation.. Liu compared the different attitudes of Germany and Japan in the aftermath of World War Two. In 1970 on a visit to Poland, West German Chancellor Willy Brandt dropped his knees before the Monument to the Warsaw Ghetto uprising of 1943 and on behalf of the German nation implored foregiveness from the victims. Unlike Germany, Japan is unrepentant on its military past especially the atrocities committed on the Chinese during the Japanese invasion of China. Such a remorseless attitude has made it difficult for Japan to earn the trust of his neighbours and the forgiveness of people around the world. « It is imperative that Japan respects history and facts », exhorted Liu.
Since then, after the collision at sea Chinese soldiers carry regular patrols to ensure the protection and the safety of the Chinese fishermen and to safeguard their fishing activity after the typhoon Jelawa has abated. Dr Chandra Muzaffar, the President of the International Movement For a Just World, earnestly asked Japan to confront the irrefutable reality of history to come to terms with the undeniable historical, legal and ethical facts. Japan cannot continue under the connivance of some to venture on such a slippery path of obstinacy and lunacy and there will be a heavy price to pay for this violation of sovereignty.