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China trying to strengthen its claim to Okinawa

135 Comments
By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN

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Lets rewind the clock back to , say, 1800 AD. Give Okinawa to China, New Zealand to the Maoris , Australia to the Aboringals, and China ,why don't you give Tibet back to the Tibetans, and the Uighur autonomous region back to the Uighurs. But this won't happen, as China,s Government is extremely hypocritical in their border skirmishes.

30 ( +35 / -5 )

Was that article printed in the editorial section or the comedy section?

It's quite apparent that the Chinese government is providing distractions to it's citizens. Because the day the people stop smashing Japanese vehicles/factories and start asking questions of their own leaders, it's clear that a lot of communist heads will roll.

21 ( +23 / -2 )

Mongol can claim over China too. Communist Chinese leaders seem to be sleeping for centuries and wake up suddenly in one afternoon of 21 st century. I can die from embarrassing if I were one of those idiot Communist leaders. All Communist's ideas are stupid and ridiculous.

19 ( +22 / -3 )

Like Japan would "give" Okinawa to communist China. Keep dreaming China. Soon China will be claiming the U.S.A as theirs from 80000billion BC

10 ( +14 / -4 )

It is interesting that some people refer to China as communist China. Is this supposed to imply that they are wrong because they are communist and communists are wrong. China is no longer communist; it is capitalist. It is about as communist as the Democratic Republic of North Korea is democratic. Such fictitious labels do not help logical argument.

Read this line under the photograph: "The tactic, however, appears to have done little but harden Tokyo’s stance." It is equally true to say that Tokyo's tactics appear to have done little but harden Beijing's stance.

-5 ( +9 / -14 )

Do they have any clue as to how silly they look in the eyes of the world? Any clue at all? And won't this outlandish claim hurt their standing with all of their other disputes? China is making itself look crazy.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Okay, take all Senkaku discussions off the table, change Article 9, build up weaponry and enlarge the Japanese military. That will make China think again and shut up the whiners who keep saying Japan is hiding behind the USA. (Ah yes, but when war breaks out the JT whiners won't hang around long).

9 ( +11 / -2 )

"As a result, Japan has an even stronger incentive now to stand firm with China and not hold talks."

Just look at what the Chinese did at Mischief Reef and Woody Island. It doesn't take a genius to realize that the Chinese intend to use the Senkaku islands as a springboard to attack both Okinawa and Taiwan. Now the Chinese are laying the groundwork to justify an attack on Okinawa.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Awwww how cute! Whatever they are smoking... they should quit now!!! China is horrible.

9 ( +13 / -4 )

Read this line under the photograph: "The tactic, however, appears to have done little but harden Tokyo’s stance." It is equally true to say that Tokyo's tactics appear to have done little but harden Beijing's stance.

So they both are hard-headed and stubborn, that's nothing new really.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Okay China, we'll trade Okinawa for Manchuko (North-Eastern China - including Beijing), and China as far South as (and including) Shanghai and as far West as Wuhan. ... after all, if you can claim Okinawa then surely Japan can claim the territory it held much more recently in WW2?

Wohoo!! We get Shanghai! Good shopping times for all!!

13 ( +15 / -2 )

My ancestors came from Africa and populated the world. As a result I have decided today, that given the historical claims of my multi-million year heritage, I am now ruler and owner of the entire world. Since I came up with the idea first.

China's stance is more or less the same level of absurdity.

From the bottom of my American heart and my fondness for Japan, I would like to officially tell China to get bent.

20 ( +21 / -1 )

build about a dozen nuclear tipped cruise missles with mobile launchers and then a base on senkakus.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Its always cool to be a little nationalistic, believing that your leaders actually care about the country.. hahaha NO

2 ( +3 / -1 )

China's borders at the time of the Maoist revolution are as far back as they can or should go.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

My ancestors came from Africa and populated the world. As a result I have decided today, that given the historical claims of my multi-million year heritage, I am now ruler and owner of the entire world. Since I came up with the idea first.

If you have the economic might and military power to back it up, what the heck go for it I say!

China's stance is more or less the same level of absurdity.

Yup, you hit the nail on the head. Sadly however the only reason it gets any traction at all is because China has the money and power to get people to listen.

Sound vaguely familiar for some reason.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

The USA rather pay it´s external debt with China : Today nearly 2 trillions US dollars ;then americans can go ahead meddling in both Chinese and Japanese territorial claimming ! Sorry for my bad English ,people around the world !

Sao Paulo City, SP, BRA

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Look, nearly every country on the planet has national debt or some international dependency. Paying it off are not prerequisites for having a political opinion Luiz.

As for meddling. I live in Japan my friend, and I am very happy that the US military support for Japan is putting up a very strong wall between me and Chinese nationalism. If you lived here you would be too.

16 ( +18 / -2 )

China and Taiwan went to war over Quemoy. It is still administered by Taiwan and claimed by China. The difference is a lack of argument which has been replaced by an understanding of the status quo. The result has been a boom in economy of Quemoy, which has become a tourist destination.

Both sides should stop rattling sabres.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The US could reduce the budget deficit by selling China their military bases on OKinawa......

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

I agree with China claims. Every Chines claim is reasonable and back by historic facts. China is not a bully like neighbors saying. What I worry is things after Japan returned Okinawa to China: China is not on the world map anymore! Instead, we see different names over that area. Beside familiar Tibet, Uighur, Mongolia, India, we now see African countries as well because they said Chinese originated from African ... The shocking thing is Japan also among them. Japan's claim is also back by historic fact: They administrated some part of China during WWII. This time they open a lot of comfort centers to comfort international soldiers, not only Japanese. What a nightmare!

So my conclusion is although China's claim is 100% valid, reasonable and logical but eventually China will drop it because Chinese women strongly oppose it. Ladies first!

-24 ( +2 / -26 )

The US could reduce the budget deficit by selling China their military bases on OKinawa......

Don't know much about the bases in Okinawa do you? Those bases are not US property/land.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

I agree with China claims. Every Chines claim is reasonable and back by historic facts. China is not a bully like neighbors saying. What I worry is things after Japan returned Okinawa to China:

Then when the Mongolian people decide it's time for China to give up it's land that they took centuries ago you will have to agree 100% as well too.

Historical facts? Then it's time for China to go back to it's Imperial days and remove the ruling cadre as well.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

toannds, when Japan-China Peace and Friendship Treaty was concluded in1978, both countries agreed on the territory of the other country. Historical claim before the treaty has nothing to do today, unless objections or reservations were raised then. This is my unofficial translation.

article 1

Each party to the treaty shall respect the sovereignty and territory of the other party, shall not invade the other party, shall not interfere with the internal affairs of the other party, shall benefit equally and mutually, shall keep peace and on such principle foundations shall develop perpetual peace and friendship.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

US bases in Okinawa Japan pay multibillion /dollars to let US forces to stay. Japan constructed these bases.. The reason USA keeo their military there is these multi billion dollars each year. , Years ago, USA destroyed one country in middle East, Japan paid 2 Billion dollars because Japan could not send troops there because of constitution. USA just need Japanese money it earn in Okinawa. This is why USA order curfew to their uncivilized soldiers instead of getting out Okinawa and send them to middle east.

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

. USA just need Japanese money it earn in Okinawa.

Toshiko san, the US does not make any money on the bases it has in Okinawa. It's the opposite, the landlords and base workers make money from the Japanese government on the bases in Okinawa.

The bases were originally built by the US, and now the upkeep and maintenance are paid for by the Japanese government not the US.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Communist China scholars are the puppets of China politics. Apparently, they know little of world history including Tibet, Uighur autonomous region, and most parts of the world like Caribbeans, Australia, New Zealand that are much parts of developing history after the area of colonialism and annexation progress. Moreover, China empire was not born overnight, the territory grabbing is China history in itself. The Nazi rise to power and failed the attempt to dominate the world, so do China which has nothing much to offer the world. Instead Communist China should focus on raising the standard of living for a better civilize China in 21th century. China would gain respect by doing good deeds, and not by way of exploitation; since the world population are not like Chinese. What a shame...

4 ( +5 / -1 )

aimed reducing tensions

tsk tsk "aimed at reducing tensions"

China is really pushing the envelope these days. I am concerned as to what will happen to Hong Kong in 30 years time - if China hasn't collapsed internally before that time.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

ICJ seems to be worthless in east Asia.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Urqinchina@: Back in 1800AD, Tibet was under Chinese rule by the Mongo Emperors, just a historical correction. Guam / Hawaii will need to be returned to their native people, I agree.

I was in China last week, did not even see this article in the news or hear anything about this on the street. I think this article is being played out of proportion. Like those dudes in Black Vans around Japan preaching Militarism and Japanese Nationalism, no one takes them seriously, as is this article. Although we need to acknowledge the links of the Okinawaian natives to China but since WW2 Japanese mainlanders now flood Okinawa, hard to find a native now.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Although we need to acknowledge the links of the Okinawaian natives to China but since WW2 Japanese mainlanders now flood Okinawa, hard to find a native now.

Okinawa has been settled by people from the Japanese mainland since the Jomon period. Okinawans also speak a Japonic language which should have been the tip off as to where they originally migrated from.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Although we need to acknowledge the links of the Okinawaian natives to China but since WW2 Japanese mainlanders now flood Okinawa, hard to find a native now.

You evidently have never been here nor watched any Japanese TV or have seen any Japanese music videos either.

Your comment here "links to the Okinawan natives" while probably not intentional, comes across as extremely condescending to the Okinawan people.

I'd be willing to bet that you would be hard pressed to differentiate between a "native" Okinawan and "naicha" or mainland Japanese person, depending upon of course if they were of Yaoyoi or Jomon descent.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Time to get the Opium out again to calm them all down. I think the Brits were on to something..

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Frungy, hope you get your stomach disemboweled....

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Frungy, hope you get your stomach disemboweled. c u nt.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I am embarrassed to call myself Chinese.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

if this is the game China wants then Mongolia should also put claim in large northern part of China.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

HAHAHA...again...CHINA does the same thing...CLAIM CLAIM CLAIM !!

CHINA is such a BIG country yet their STANDARDS and CLASS is so LOW...

I LAUGH at their STUPIDITY and SILLYNESS..

I heard they are fighting with the PHILLIPINES for an island as big as a ROCK !!!

8 ( +8 / -0 )

@gaijintraveler China may appear like a capitalist nation now because of their economic boom but their fundamental thinking has been communism since a much longer time and those 'values' will not be quickly erased from their minds. The whole political structure in China still follows deeply rooted communist patterns.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I am pretty sure India held the same assumptious thinking back in '62' with China as well, we all know where that got them. With China, you need to understand what 'core interests ' means and exactly how far China will go to enforce them. Be careful. Peace on the seven seas.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Here I thought China had a game plan. If China is to talk about Okinawa, then talk about Tibet first. Foot in mouth. Dunce hat on. Real slick China. Real slick.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"Although the Japanese government purchase was ostensibly aimed reducing tensions".

Give me a break. Kurihara was real estate investor hundreds of millions in debt. His family owned part of the island chain. Ishihara needed a burning platform for his unfulfilled dreams of becoming PM. Kurihara needed money. Ishihara needed a reason.

Purchase to "reduce tensions"? I think not.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Title of that article is misleading. That two scholars debated Okinawa was not a legitimate territory because of annexation. However there was not any word mentioning it was part of China before. Okinawa or Ryuku kingdom was never part of Japan until 19th century.

Most posters exaggerated with their misinterpretation. Japanese were more likely Irish settlers of US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Not only Okinawa but also Hokkaido was not belong to Japan before. They have their natives, custom and separte identities. Unlike western settlers Japanese did not butcher them a lot. The consequence is there will be independent movement like Scotland or Ireland.

History can not be whitewashed like clothes in the laundry.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I think china has took a lot of Opium these days...

they're probably high when they thought of this topic....

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Okinawa or Ryuku kingdom was never part of Japan until 19th century.

And it was NEVER a part of China either. Paying tribute is one thing, being an actual part of the country is totally different. The Ryukyu Islands for the most part remained an independent kingdom playing both sides of the fence for centuries.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

what world going on which China =/, just leave it.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

China is trying to strengthen its claim on tiny, uninhabited, Japanese-controlled islands by raising questions about the much larger Okinawa chain that is home to more than a million Japanese along with major U.S. military installations.

Then shouldn't the title be changed to "China trying to strengthen its claim on Diaoyu or Pinnacle or Senkaku Islands" instead of "China trying to strengthen its claim to Okinawa"?

Title of that article is misleading.

Yes, I am of the same feeling that either the writer or AP or someone else used a wrong title on purpose.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@tkoind2 Sorry, but your claim to the planet won't be any good in China. One of the nuttier claims ( a competitive field ) from some Chinese propaganda is that the Han 'race' cannot trace its ancestry to Africa. They claim to have a 120,000 year-old specimen to prove it. I'm afraid you'll have be content with flogging them raw materials and putting up with territorial claims.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Looking at the comments here, I marvel at the power of the Western Press in its manipultion of the truth.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

Okay, take all Senkaku discussions off the table, change Article 9, build up weaponry and enlarge the Japanese military. That will make China think again and shut up the whiners who keep saying Japan is hiding behind the USA.

Japan's claim over the Ryukyu is a violation of the whole series of WWII peace treaties/ agreement that restored peace in Asia. These include the Potsdam Declaration (terms of surrender for Japan in WWII), Japanese Instrument of Surrender (agreement to the terms of surrender), San Francisco Peace Treaty and etc.

For example, the Potsdam Declaration says:

"The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out and Japanese sovereignty shall be limited to the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and such minor islands as we (US, UK, China and Russia) determine."

However, since the 1960s or 1970s, Japan have been trying to reclaim the territories it lost to the Allies under these treaties such as the Ryukyus, South Kurile islands and etc.

Mind you that China takes any use of force by Japan to reclaim the territories it lost under the Potsdam Agreement and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender as a resumption of WWII. And you think Japan can really beat China in a resumption of WWII?

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

^ The western press are amateurs compared to the commies. Nobody does indoctrination and propaganda like the communist chinese. Its an art form. A truly pitiful commentary on the society.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It seems the vast majority of posters here either didn't read the article, didn't really understand it or didn't bother to quote it properly.

Only Octagon and Guru29 rightfully pointed out that the Chinese scholars do not claim that Okinawa, or the Ryukyus as they refer to it, was a part of China. What they stated is doubt about the rightfulness of Okinawa's annexation by Japan.

Of course that was meant as a provocation, and posters here are proving us how very successful they were, but it's not completely absurd.

Fact is that a majority of Okinawans nowadays don't question being a part of Japan, but they actually never had the chance to freely decide if they want to be part of Japan. A number of Okinawans (a clear minority though) actually feel they should be independent from Japan and a growing number believes that Okinawa should become an autonomous region within Japan.

It's obvious though that claims by state sanctioned Chinese scholars won't help those independence seeking Okinawans, but I suppose that's not what those scholars were aiming at.

True, China is becoming a bit scary these days, but not because of its alleged expansionism, rather because of the more and more uncontrollable nationalism that was fueled by the Government in order to keep the nation together. History tells us that expansionism has never really worked for China and even if they are taking an increasingly threatening posture at the moment it seems limited to uninhabited islands and marine territory.

We shouldn't forget that China has become a superpower and the only surprising point to me is how cautious they have been up to now regarding foreign relations. Especially considering how bold and ruthless they act internally.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

It's obvious though that claims by state sanctioned Chinese scholars won't help those independence seeking Okinawans, but I suppose that's not what those scholars were aiming at.

What independence seeking Okinawans? You mean the one's in Los Angeles?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

We shouldn't forget that China has become a superpower

Define for me the reasoning you believe China is a "superpower" please? Is it because they have nukes? If that's the case then NK is one too. Is it because of their standing army? Their economy? They have millions of folks still tilling their fields with oxen. What has made you believe that China is a "super power"?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I hope they know about Ryukyu Kingdom.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Kazuki, you have to understand about Okinawa and how they participate in protests here before getting caught up in the numbers.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Are the Chinese government really THAT insane?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Define for me the reasoning you believe China is a "superpower" please? Is it because they have nukes? If that's the case then NK is one too. Is it because of their standing army? Their economy? They have millions of folks still tilling their fields with oxen. What has made you believe that China is a "super power"?

Yubaru: China has the world's largest army and the 2nd biggest economy. What else are you looking for? The fact that a lot of Chinese are still poor does not change its international importance.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Define for me the reasoning you believe China is a "superpower" please? Is it because they have nukes? If that's the case then NK is one too. Is it because of their standing army? Their economy? They have millions of folks still tilling their fields with oxen. What has made you believe that China is a "super power"?

Yubaru: China has the world's largest army and the 2nd biggest economy. What else are you looking for? The fact that a lot of Chinese are still poor does not change its international importance.

True, there was a brief period in the 60's where the military capabilities of the Soviet Union surpassed that of the US, and that was when a quarter of their people were slaving away in gulags and their economy was nowhere near world class..

China is without a doubt a superpower now and has been for many years. The question remains is whether they will exercise great responsibility with their great power..

1 ( +2 / -1 )

There is another explanation for these Chinese scholars advocating Chinese sovereignty over Okinawa = one not identified in this article, but I have mentioned in several other posts.

What argument most undercuts the leftist's view that Japan faces no external threats, that US bases (especially those bases in Okinawa) are not needed, and that the US-Japan Security Treaty is a relic of the Cold War and should be abrogated?

While it's hard to know for sure, the Chinese could be playing a "deep game" here - the "tatemae" of these remarks could be any of the explanations offered by the experts cited in the article. But the "hone" could be something much different - conveniently offering a perceived threat to undercut the anti-US base advocates, and lending further relevance and support to the alliance.

Why? Because they see Abe and the LDP riding high in the polls, with no credible opposition party anywhere near their popularity numbers. They anticipate the LDP winning the Upper House this Jul further cementing their grip on power. And they see (visits to Yasukuni) and hear (Abe, Aso, Hashimoto, Ishihara) evidence that Japan continues to slide to the right - and they don't know how far that slide could go.

In China's view, what is the "worst of two evils" - a US that is "pivoting" toward the Pacific and could hinder their claims in several territorial disputes, to include Taiwan - or a militarily resurgent, right-wing Japan, no longer restrained by the US-Japan Security Alliance, assuming no responsibility or regret for its actions in the first part of the twentieth century, revising its Constitution, and seriously considering building a nuclear weapons capability?

I'd place my bet on the latter.......

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Yubaru: Could you tell be "about Okinawa" and "how the participate in protests?" If you are willing to...otherwise you don't have to.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I disagree with both of you, and here is why, while somewhere in the future China may become one, it isn't now, right now it's just a bully, albeit one with military strength that can threaten it's next door neighbors, is in no way a threat militarily, (conventional) to anywhere else in the world. China can not project power and that ability to project power to all corners of the globe is what defines a superpower.

Here is a laymen's definition of a superpower; "a country that has the capacity to project dominating power and influence anywhere in the world, and sometimes, in more than one region of the globe at a time, and so may plausibly attain the status of global hegemony.

Right now, on this planet earth, only one country fits that description, and global hegemony fits it to a "T'.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Yubaru: Could you tell be "about Okinawa" and "how the participate in protests?" If you are willing to...otherwise you don't have to.

Okinawan people by nature join together in things because of their relationships with their friends and neighbors. Many times there have been large protests about a number of different issues, and many times people went there because of it, not because they had such strong feelings or emotions of what was being protested at the time.

10,000 is a "small" protest in comparison.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Eventually, the Chinese historians will decide that the whole world belongs to China. China über alles.... wait for it.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

China's 'strategy' is the same as a cheap pirate DVD seller's method of selling his wares - he can make a profit by getting $1 for it, so he puts up a sign that says '$10 for 1 Hollywood blockbuster DVD, $8 each if you buy 2, etc'. Unsuspecting buyer thinks they have a bargain if he offers $6 each by buying 3 DVDs. Actually even at $1 each, profit is made. So for the Senkaku islands, by claiming Okinawa, they stupidly think that Japan will let them have the Senkakus for nothing.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

What has made you believe that China is a "super power"?

I should have put Quotes around the superpower as to me the term appears rather hazy and I tend to use it with a dash of irony.

From Wikipedia we learn that

The criteria of a superpower are not clearly defined and as a consequence they may differ between sources.

Anyway I believe China has reached a kind of superpower status (or shall we say a superpower in stand-by modus) by its mere economic and financial weight, through which it is able to project dominating power and influence anywhere in the world.

Other then the British Empire, the US or Russia China never tried to gain a hegemonial status and has almost never followed an expansionist agenda (except maybe for Tibet) mainly because it was busy enough with ruling the vastness of its populace and cultural diversity.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

As for the Okinawans that seek some form of independence from Japan it is hard to get solid data.

There has been a poll in 2007 where over 20% of responding Okinawans said Okinawa should become independent, but numbers seem to fluctuate wildly, as does the sentiment of Okinawans on this topic.

Recently a growing number of Okinawan rainmakers are pushing an autonomy agenda that seems much more realistic then proper independence.

To say Okinawans largely participate in protests because of friends and family is chauvinistic, but probably popular belief amongst americans living on the island.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

They talk of Okinawa as though no one lives there. I wonder what the Chinese will make of an Okinawan 'position' on this? About the same they do of the Tibetan position, I'm guessing.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Recently a growing number of Okinawan rainmakers are pushing an autonomy agenda that seems much more realistic then proper independence.

Please enlighten us all with the details of this! I am quite certain that the Okinawan people themselves would be interested to know the details of this too.

This is so far out in left field, wait not even in the ball park, that it's ludicrous. Must be coming from the LA based Ryukyu independence movement!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Liang Yunxiang, a Japan expert at Peking University, said China’s questions about Okinawa are in part intended to win over global public opinion by “raising awareness of Japan’s invasion history that Japan has tried so hard to obscure.”

China when will you learn that the rest of the world can't be fooled like the people in your country?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

gaijintravellerMay. 20, 2013 - 08:18AM JST It is interesting that some people refer to China as communist China. Is this supposed to imply that they are wrong >because they are communist and communists are wrong.

The term Communist China( aka Red China, Chicom, etc.) for the PRC is to differentiate between the Republic of China, which was a WWII ally under Chiang Kai Shek and the Communist regime formed under Mao Tse Tung, which fought and chased Chiang Kai Shek off the mainland to Taiwan, and took over it's UNPSC seat. It is also to differentiate today's "China" (PRC) from the previous many past dynasties, including the Qing.

China is no longer communist; it is capitalist. It is about as communist as the Democratic Republic of North Korea is >democratic. Such fictitious labels do not help logical argument.

China today is still a communist state that has adopted capitalism. It is not a democracy as the people have no vote or say in the nation's top leadership. In addition the shift to capitalism has failed to create a middle class and a shift towards democracy, and still remains an authoritarian nation with censorship and governmental control over the media. In addition, the military exists to support and protect the one party, CCP, rather than the state. But I agree with you that "Communist China" is outdated, since China changed to using Nationalism instead of Communism to keep the people together. Today to call China "National Socialists would not be inaccurate. And I am sure you know what we call such nations.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Some this days scholars are idiots.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The Satsuma samurai DID capture and abduct the Okinawan king and defeat the Okinawan army in 1609...way before their more recent annexation of Okinawa and forced abdication of the king of the Ryukus..

Cripes, you make it sound so dramatic and it was hardly a "major" conquest. First off "defeated" the army of Okinawa? There was no Okinawan army back then. And the "invasion" was met with little if any resistance. Satsuma gained quite a lot of prestige with the Shogun for making the Ryukyu Kingdom a vassal state of Satsuma.

Next the King, Sho Nei, was not abducted either, reread the history. Tell you what I'll give you a wiki link that says the same thing......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Ryukyu

Your post is overly dramatic and wrong as well.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Marquis SHŌ MAMORU [Mamoru Shō], Head of the Okinawan Royal Family

The last member of the Ryukyu Royal family to hold the title of Marquis was Sho Hiroshi who died in 1996. Plus the dude lived in Tokyo his entire life, and the people in Okinawa don't give a crap about any Ryukyu royalty, living or dead. It's totally a non-issue.

Oh all titles were dropped with the start of the current Japanese constitution in 1947. He is buried in the royal tomb on Izena Island.

There is no "royal" family.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

A few points (admittedly made by others before):

nobody cares about maps. otherwise, half the US would belong to Mexico. China only showed intersest in Senkaku's after oil was discovered there. Subsequent surveys show that most of the oil is actually under Okinawa. Hence, sudden interest in Okinawa. This is a way for China to poke the US in the eye (i.e., test the "Asian pivot" of Obama).
2 ( +2 / -0 )

There's oil and minerals under the South China Sea. That's what this is about. The sensible solution would be joint administration, but a local source of petroleum is way too valuable for that. This has the potential to become very dangerous at some point.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Please enlighten us all with the details of this! I am quite certain that the Okinawan people themselves would be interested to know the details of this too.

Yubaru, I suppose you can't read Japanese otherwise you would know that the various forms of independence are occasionally discussed in the Okinawan media, especially in the two news papers Ryukyu Shinbun and Okinawa Times.

In Japanese the topic is often discussed under the keyword Jichiken which can mean self-governance, but also autonomy (a concept that obviously doesn't exist in Japan in the same way it does in the west).

There have been various organizations and even political parties promoting independence or autonomy for Okinawa. For example the not very successful Ryukyu Dokurotsuto and the follow-up Kariyushi Club or the more serious Okinawa Jichikenkyukai.

To start with I suggest you look at the japanese wikipedia page about Okinawa Jichikenkyukai

Then there are various professors at the University of the Ryukyus, the Okinawa International University as well as the Okinawa University that propagate either independence or autonomy, the most influential maybe being Shimabukuro Jun .

There even was a platform of the Democratic Party of Japan called Okinawa Vision which proposed a 'One Country, Two Systems' strategy for Okinawa. As we know the DPJ did disappoint Okinawans raising high hopes and then not following-up on its promises.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Guru29

For example, the Potsdam Declaration says:

"The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out and Japanese sovereignty shall be limited to the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and such minor islands as we (US, UK, China and Russia) determine."

You're not really saying anything there. It's a nice quote from Wikipedia but you seem to be ignoring the fact that of the nations you mention, ONLY CHINA IS CAUSING A FUSS, and the USA has actually vowed to SUPPORT with military force Japan's right to administer the Senkaku Islands.

If you'd been less hasty in posting that little tidbit, you would also have discovered that the Potsdam declaration was signed for China by Chiang Kai-shek, leader of the Nationalists and very much anti-Communist and anti-Mao. Furthermore, Chiang was pretty friendly towards the Japanese military in China. He had studied in Japan before the war and had close personal relationships with some of Japan's top officers.

Chiang actually asked the Japanese in China to postpone their surrender for a year. This didn't happen, but armed Japanese soldiers remained in China until well into 1947.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I suppose you can't read Japanese otherwise you would know that the various forms of independence are occasionally discussed in the Okinawan media, especially in the two news papers Ryukyu Shinbun and Okinawa Times.

It's all scholarly talk, nothing more nothing less. Never going to happen. Even when it gets printed in the newspapers here. No one takes it seriously.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@Guru

Russia was not one of the authors of the Potsdam deceleration.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It's all scholarly talk, nothing more nothing less. Never going to happen. Even when it gets printed in the newspapers here. No one takes it seriously.

Yubaru, clearly you have your agenda in regard to Okinawa, just like the state sanctioned Chinese scholars Li and Zhang

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Yubaru, clearly you have your agenda in regard to Okinawa,

Agenda? Hardly, but I am a realist and anyone who thinks that Okinawa is going to become autonomous or independent or a part of China have to be smoking something pretty strong to get that high.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

letsberealisticMay. 20, 2013 - 11:51PM JST Okinawa independence!

From China!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Okinawa independence!

Lol, oh the irony! Why not take your own advice! Like your name says letsberealistic!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I am a realist and anyone who thinks that Okinawa is going to become autonomous or independent or a part of China have to be smoking something pretty strong to get that high.

As long as the sovereignty issue of Ryukyu remains unsettled (and the Americans kept it that way on purpose), it will remain a military colony of the Americans. Even President Eisenhower made it clear that the U.S. intended to keep its military bases in Okinawa indefinitely in his State of Union Message in 1954.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

@Guru Russia was not one of the authors of the Potsdam deceleration.

You have no idea that Russia is the legal successor of USSR? So you probably have no idea that the current Japanese government is the legal successor of Imperial Japan too?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

If you'd been less hasty in posting that little tidbit, you would also have discovered that the Potsdam declaration was signed for China by Chiang Kai-shek, leader of the Nationalists and very much anti-Communist and anti-Mao.

And you have no idea that PRC is the legal successor of China or ROC?

the USA has actually vowed to SUPPORT with military force Japan's right to administer the Senkaku Islands.

That's exactly what the Japanese government tried to get the US government to commit but with no success so far. As for now, it remains a wishful thinking of the right-wing Japanese.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

How about letting the Okinawans have Okinawa? seems fairest to me.

Yes, that's the best way. From the following disclosed US document, it is very clear that China was willing to accept independence of Ryukyu at the Cairo Conference in 1943 just as they accepted the independence of Korea, another vassal state of China.

"During a private dinner with the Chiangs on the evening of November 23, President Roosevelt asked Chiang China's intentions regarding the Ryukyu Islands. According to the memorandum written by the Chinese side (Roosevelt's special assistant Harry Hopkins was present but did not apparently take notes), "The President referred to the question of the Ryukyu Islands and enquired more than once whether China would want the Ryukyus." To this, Chiang reportedly replied that "China would be agreeable to joint occupation of the Ryukyus by China and the United States and, eventually, joint administration by the two countries under the trusteeship of an international organization. (UN trusteeship as described in the San Francisco Peace Treaty?)""

By the way, the UN trusteeship system did help many countries to gain independence since its foundation.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

China can not project power and that ability to project power to all corners of the globe is what defines a superpower.

I have no interest in the definition of superpower. But China's long-range missiles certainly can reach most parts if not all of the world.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

You have no idea that Russia is the legal successor of USSR? So you probably have no idea that the current Japanese government is the legal successor of Imperial Japan too?

The USSR was not involved in writing the Potsdam deceleration.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

China should think very carefully about this. Many nations and peoples have been taken by force. It's too much to try and correct. We need peace and a chance for everyone to make a few bucks. China needs to make sure its food is safe.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Let´s all get to real point : 3rd millenium belongs to the Chinese Growth in every aspect ; we´re already in the Aquarius age ,the world had not ended and will not end in the next 50000 years ! We´re getting into the age of peace for Humanity and Japan and China (Buddha) will show the American world the real meanings of Jesus´s Gospel : Peace for YOU ALL in my name !

Sorry! No offense ,of course !!

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

China doesn't want to contend with the US, Japan, South Korea and possibly India, Vietnam and the Philippines. A bully simply can't be tolerated. America should learn this lesson also. If China wants respect then give respect. Too many other nations have issues with her for her to stick her chest out.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

"Japan refuses to offer any concessions to China over Tokyo’s control of the uninhabited East China Sea islands"

The goal here is to take whatever they can, the PRC is out for conquest and it is rying to do it the same way Nazis Germany did it in 1938.

The greatest threat to world peace is the paper tiger known as the PRC.

The only way Japan can defend itself is to get rid of Article 9 and arm itself more!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Luiz /BRAZILMay. 21, 2013 - 03:56AM JST Let´s all get to real point : 3rd millenium

LOL!

That is as far as I could read, thank you for the great laugh!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Potsdam Declaration

1.We-the President of the United States, the President of the National Government of the Republic of China, and the Prime Minister of Great Britain, representing the hundreds of millions of our countrymen, have conferred and agree that Japan shall be given an opportunity to end this war.

http://www.atomicarchive.com/Docs/Hiroshima/Potsdam.shtml

http://www.ndl.go.jp/constitution/e/etc/c06.html

The reason why the USSR/Russia is because and I quote "the Soviet Union did not sign the declaration because it had yet to declare war on Japan".

http://history.state.gov/milestones/1937-1945/PotsdamConf

Enjoy the read.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

As long as the sovereignty issue of Ryukyu remains unsettled

Unsettled ? To who? Some nuts in Peking who talk like they are living back in the 1500's if their lucky. Get with the program, it's 2013 there is no "issue" with the Ryukyu Islands.

.(and the Americans kept it that way on purpose), it will remain a military colony of the Americans. Even President Eisenhower made it clear that the U.S. intended to keep its military bases in Okinawa indefinitely in his State of Union Message in 1954

3 ( +4 / -1 )

.(and the Americans kept it that way on purpose), it will remain a military colony of the Americans. Even President Eisenhower made it clear that the U.S. intended to keep its military bases in Okinawa indefinitely in his State of Union Message in 1954

"During a private dinner with the Chiangs on the evening of November 23, President Roosevelt asked Chiang China's intentions regarding the Ryukyu Islands.

And just how pertinent are these two dead presidents today? Maybe we should be asking Chairman Mao for his opinion , seeing as how you like living in the past, maybe he can help out.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The reality is that China by its emerging belligerance is inducing more animosity around the world for it and its people than it has ever beore in its long, shattered history. Americans should reconsider to whom they subcontract production, allowing valuable tehnologies and industrial expertise to be seived off by Chinese hands so easily. China is famously worried that the rest of the world intends to "contain" it - but they are doing an excellent job alienating themselves from the rest of the globe all by themselves. Nonetheless, the West and Japan should continue to unite to restrainthis vulgar, lawless rogue nation and its bellicose attitudes. Despite the fact that for its population and land mass its acomplishments are somewhat modest in comaprison with Jaoan's, China does indeed seem potentially a very, very dangerous and globally destablizing country.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Guru 29, thanks for your point of view on this sensitive subject. It will be entertaining to see what Japan, Taiwan, the US, Philippines, Vietnam, Mongolia, Britain, France and others with any historical experience of engaging China will come up with, akin to China's laughable claim on Okinawa, to demonstrate the absurdity of this claim by claiming 'historical rights' to various sections of China. After all, in reality Shanghai was developed not by Chinese, but by clever caucasian Sephardi Jews - who used Chinese labor, not Chinese brains. Hong Kong was nothing until the British built it into a global economic powerhouse with Chinese labor.That sort of thing - you know, England reclaiming Shanghai and Hong Kong and so forth? No?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The USSR was not involved in writing the Potsdam deceleration.

This is what the Japanese Instrument of Surrender says about the role of USSR in Potsdam Declaration:

"We, acting by command of and in behalf of the Emperor of Japan, the Japanese Government and the Japanese imperial General Headquarters, hereby accept the provisions set forth in the declaration issued by the heads of the Governments of the United States, China and Great Britain on 26 July 1945, at Potsdam, and subsequently adhered to by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, which four powers are hereafter referred to as the Allied Powers.

We hereby proclaim the unconditional surrender to the Allied Powers of the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters and of all Japanese armed forces and all armed forces under Japanese control wherever situated."

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Unsettled ? To who?

Even the US government admitted that the issue is unsettled indirectly in the following statement regarding the 1971 reversion treaty:

"The United States believes that a return of administrative rights over those islands to Japan, from which the rights were received, can in no way prejudice any underlying claims. The United States cannot add to the legal rights Japan possessed before it transferred administration of the islands to us, nor can the United States, by giving back what it received, diminish the rights of other claimants."

And the issue is clearly unsettled according to the whole series of WWII treaties/ agreements. For example, the San Francisco Peace Treaty signed between the US and Japan in 1951 says:

"Japan will concur in any proposal of the United States to the United Nations to place under its trusteeship system, with the United States as the sole administering authority, Nansei Shoto south of 29° north latitude (including the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands)"

And by the way, the UN trusteeship system did help many countries to gain independence since its foundation.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

According to a book "1421:The Year China Discovered The World", written by some crack pot, China discovered America before Columbus. Can't wait for them to read that so they can try and claim USA too! Hahaha.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Guru it is only unsettled to you, only you, oh and a few crackpots in beijing too! Other than that, it's a moot point, or a discussion for scholars in a University environment asking "What if....kinds of questions.

No one, besides the folks I mentioned above, no one with any sense or authority questions Japan's right and sovereignty over the Okinawa islands with the goofy exception of the Senkaku Islands only because they MIGHT have oil or natural gas underneath them.

Japan and China are missing a golden opportunity to build good will between the two countries and JOINTLY explore and JOINTLY share the wealth.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

China thinks that a resurgent Japan would scare rest of the Pacific Rim nations into remember the bad old days of Imperial Japan and go to her side. But right now the only empire East Asia is seeing is that of China. Which is sad since peaceful rise had served them so well before, to see them abandon it and gradually slip away the soft power it gave them.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It's always amusing hearing adults who have an obsession with hello kitty speaking their mind. Quite comical.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

@Yubaru, CH3CHO

Oh, I meant humorous, not serious. Just to point out the fact of Chinese ridiculous claims. All my posts across topics against current Chinese bullying tactics.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Yubaru May. 20, 2013 - 02:47PM JST

Pls read other post before rushing to insult others. Thatr was my old post again.

there was not any word mentioning it was part of China before. Okinawa or Ryuku kingdom was never part of Japan until 19th century.

It was not belong to China. Neither to Japan! Therefore shcolars were right.

Whether you are fiercely protecting Japan as forever propertior does not change anything. Nothing last forever. Territory expands and shrinks. Look at Russia who is a super power.

Okinawa affair should be decided by Ryuku people. Not by biased foreign expats. If they want the change, it is up to them to choose their destiny.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Okinawa affair should be decided by Ryuku people. Not by biased foreign expats. If they want the change, it is up to them to choose their destiny.

For discussions sake here: Just how on earth do you plan on doing this? Who are you going to call Ryukyu people? What definition however discriminatory you will be, in deciding just who gets to decide?

Only "pure" Ryukyu folks? How about 1/2 Ryukyu and somewhere else? What about 1/4, 1/8, 1/16?

You can't, it's almost impossible, not to mention the millions of Ryukyu folks that are connected and live all over the world. Don't they have a say?

Nothing last forever. Territory expands and shrinks

This sounds like a veiled threat. Thank goodness that the Japan and US Security treaty are in place to stop such nonsense from ever becoming a reality.

The rest is nonsense, discussions for the classroom and old folks opining on about days long past over a cigar and a glass of awamori.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Pls correct the third sentence as scholars were right.

Yubaru posted in other thread as Ryuku was part of Japan since 1609. He could not prove beyond Ryuku burden of ranson demand as vassal state. Since then Japan was a land grabber and bully boy for Ryuku people.

According his logic of Paying tribute is one thing, being an actual part of the country is totally different, Ryuku kingdom was not belong to Japan physically or morally until the annexation at the end of 19th century. Who knows there will be another republic of Ireanland or Scotland in south China sea.

One resident opinion does not reflect the entire population of Okinawa. They have never participated the celebration of Humilation day called by Japan as restoration of souverign day.

http://english.ryukyushimpo.jp/2013/05/01/10123/

http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/abe-says-restoration-of-sovereignty-day-signals-hope-pride

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Yubaru posted in other thread as Ryuku was part of Japan since 1609.

Go back yourself and read what I wrote. Dont try to put words into my mouth that I did not place there myself! Lol!

One resident opinion does not reflect the entire population of Okinawa. They have never participated the celebration of Humilation day called by Japan as restoration of souverign day.

This year, btw, and you obviously didnt know this, was the first year under Abe that a "celebration" occurred, and FYI there were people from Okinawa who participated as well. Sure many didnt and rightfully so, but that has NOTHING to do with the discussion.

Your hit and miss posts trying to deflect and obfuscate from reality are getting boring. Luckily the readers here know better.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Yubaru

This sounds like a veiled threat.

Soviet Union disintegrated without veiled threat or using force from any nations. It was caused by self destruction, mistrust and cronic economic problems. Again nothing will last forever without even the external threat.

Only "pure" Ryukyu folks? How about 1/2 Ryukyu and somewhere else? What about 1/4, 1/8, 1/16?

Defintion of Ryuku folk means who is protecting Ryuku people and ancestor land interest. One may be full 100% Ryuku blood. If that one is promoting foreign and J government interest instead of Ryuku people and land, he or she may be not real Ryuku person. More likely they are traitors for local people. One may be not having single drop of Ryuku blood. However he or she may be a hero of Ryuku folks like Bertie.

Thank goodness that the Japan and US Security treaty are in place to stop such nonsense from ever becoming a reality

Singing treaty is one thing. Honouring treaty is another thing. US signed many treaties with Native American, Mexico and Spain. Did US need to honour all of treaties as concrete? The answer is no. Goodness does not belong to weak and frail nations. US will protect own interest first.

The rest is nonsense, discussions for the classroom and old folks opining on about days long past over a cigar and a glass of awamori

As usual you have just insulted other opinion. It was so low too. Nothing remote about that article from that sentence . As a matured and sensible person, I will ignore your impolite sentence.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

As a matured and sensible person, I will ignore your impolite sentence.

Lol, but you commented on it.......

As usual you have just insulted other opinion. It was so low too. Nothing remote about that article from that sentence

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Yubaru, you seem to try to deny here that the Okinawan people, or as many prefer to be called, the Ryukyu people, have a distinct cultural and partly also ethnic identity and are proud of that.

Since the Satsuma Han started their under cover colonialization of Ryukyu the northern intruders have tried to corrupt the Okinawan elite and they were partly quite successful. Again after the official annexation in 1879 Japan has tried to brainwash Okinawans with the help of their centralized and heavily nationalistic education system. The Japanese education system still denies any form of ethnic distinction and it's a fact that elder Okinawans often are frustrated with the lack of knowledge of younger Okinawans in regard to their own history and cultural identity as they it is widely ignored in school curricula.

Yubaru, you only seem to want to see one superficial part of the Okinawan society and are either ignoring or not able to follow the ongoing discussion about the Okinawan identity and its possible future within so heavily centralized Japan.

This discussion will hopefully widen again with the reorganization of Japan’s prefectures getting to a concrete stage and with the outlook of Okinawa being swallowed up by a bigger Kyushu state.

Any way, even Okinawans that seek more independence from Yamato culture don't won't and don't need any politically motivated claims from Chinese scholars about their archipelago.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

YubaruMay. 21, 2013 - 11:05AM JST

Go back yourself and read what I wrote. Dont try to put words into my mouth that I did not place there myself! Lol!

Thanks for repeating LoL again. Is this defined as lots of laugh or lots of Lies?

YubaruMay. 17, 2013 - 01:16PM JST

The Ryukyu islands were a vassal state of Satsuma since 1609, and officially became a prefecture of Japan in 1879. It maintained both it's relationship with China and Satsuma together during the period. However even as far back as the mid-1300's there is evidence that the Ryukyu's were paying tribute to Edo as well.

There is no clear definition of relationship as vassal state of Sausuma. It is no privillage as Yamato clan has closer link or bonding. Ignored the real historical fact as Ryuku kingdom did not want Neither Togugawa Shogun nor Ming Dynasty of China as their Boss.

YubaruMay. 17, 2013 - 05:12PM JST Tell that to the "hostage" king! You are skipping over a number of important details, but whatever, still won't change the fact that Okinawa is a part of Japan and will continue to be.

Hostage King Shō Nei was released later and Okinawa still retained their autonomy. Amami-Ōshima island group, which was incorporated into the Satsuma domain and remains a part of Kagoshima prefecture, not Okinawa prefecture, today. Land grabbing and robbery started from that incident. Part of Okinawa was forcefully became part of Kagoshima prefecture.

YubaruMay. 17, 2013 - 06:18PM JST

Vassal state means a state with varying degrees of independence in its internal affairs but dominated by another state in its foreign affairs and potentially wholly subject to the dominating state

This definition does not fit what was occurring in the Ryukyu Islands at the time. They were paying tribute to BOTH Satsuma and the Chinese Imperial Court as well.

Debating the definition of vassal state without alternative. According Yubaru logic of Paying tribute is one thing, being an actual part of the country is totally different, Ryuku was not belong to both Japan and China back then.

It is sensible that Scholars debated Japan lacks the credibilty and solid ground for claiming as landlord. However they did not mention anything that it was part of China. Therefore I assume that you have just inflammed as China tried to claim as part of territory. In my first post, I mentioned that title is misleading for readers. I did not mention single word about it was part of China too.

Hope you will pay more attention before sending LOL and LOL and LOL again.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Yubaru, you seem to try to deny here that the Okinawan people, or as many prefer to be called, the Ryukyu people, have a distinct cultural and partly also ethnic identity and are proud of that.

WTF? Thank you , your comments just went from barely readable to now down right un-readable.

You have proven to me beyond a reasonable doubt that you have no idea what you are talking about on this thread.

Okinawan people prefer to be called UCHINANCHU! Which btw in English, is Okinawan. Good Bye....

0 ( +1 / -1 )

or as many prefer to be called, the Ryukyu people,

Bwahahahahaha!! I've never heard many Okinawans preferring to be called Ruykyu-jin. That was hilarious!!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Bwahahahahaha!! I've never heard many Okinawans preferring to be called Ruykyu-jin. That was hilarious!!

If Okinawans casually refer to themselves they usually use Uchinanchu, but as an ethnicity, of course many Okinawans say they are Ryukyuans! (Ryukyu minzoku or Ruuchuu minzuku in Okinawan) How else would you call their ethnicity?

Yubaru, I wonder whether you are able to participate in any meaningful discussion in Japanese? From your comments here you seem to missing out really important parts of the public discourse in Okinawa. I suppose you only get the filtered version in English.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Guru it is only unsettled to you, only you

So you think I am the only signatory of those WWII peace treaties/ agreements that I shown to you here?

The truth is these treaties/ agreements are not only internationally recognized but they are also the foundation of peace in Asia.

If you are bent on helping Japan to overturn these treaties of peace and reclaim the territories it lost to the Allies under these treaties, then at least you should be aware of the consequences of this action.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

CHINA SYNDROME **** they want to claim everything including Moon and the planet Mars .. this is what Opium does to the brain ...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Hi, if government doesn't want to lose the nation better to do the logic thing. It is not nationalism but survival. Do heavy investments to increase protection abilities. Do in the way that no one thought before.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Such a big and lousy shame for China having so massive big piece of land, probably the largest in Asia and still wanted to lay claim to tiny islets and everywhere they think they can claim ...... China is trying to use its might to influence into anything she can try to put her hands on...... practically everything even they wanted to claim Taiwan, Tibet, HK, etc as their own, soon they also want to claim Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia as part of them too.... they already wanted to buy Greece including its national debts, what more they want? Maybe one day, they will also claim ownership to Europe, middle-east, Russia and then all the way to sub-Saharan Africa, India, and then America.....

one day we will all be part of One China........ u see!!!!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

a typical symptom of China Greeds.....

there is always a positive saying "When one is rich, its always important to do good deeds to preserve the wealth you deserve..." but for China "When one is rich, be more greedy....!!!"

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I am a chinese in guangzhou,i found communist is and evil,a hell.they make people misunderstook Japanese.I feel sorry to you all,Nihonjin

3 ( +3 / -0 )

FYI:

"Uchinaa" is the corrupt form of "Okinawa" and "hichu/chu" is that of "hito (person or people)." So "Okinawa no hito" (person of or from Okinawa) is "Uchinaa nu hichu" or "uchina(a)nchu".

Ryukyu was the diplomatic name of the kingdom that unified the archipelago from the Amami Islands down to the Sakishima Islands (Yaeyama and Miyako island groups). Formerly, from 12th to 15th century, there were three kingdoms on Okinawa Island vying for supremacy or hegemony with each having an independent tributary relationship with China. Eventually one of the three kingdoms, Chuzan Kingdom, won out, which came to be known as Ryukyu Kingdom. (You can see a big frame calligraphed as "Chuzan" in the royal hall of Shuri Castle.) Ming China was the godfather to the unified kingdom.

Meanwhile, to Okinawans, China has always been "To" or "Tang" regardless of its dynasties.

So "Uchinaa" or its standardized pronunciation "Okinawa" is older in form than "Ryukyu" to call the region. It's interesting that the U.S. administrators of post-war Okinawa preferred to use "Ryukyu" in place of "Okinawa", calling various public institutions "U.S. Civil Administration of the Ryukyus (USCAR)," "University of the Ryukyus," "Bank of the Ryukyus," "Ryukyu-U.S. Cultural Center" and what not.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

China is full of it. Boycott China now so we can starve them back to the third century, where their egos and mentality still reside.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@yankeeshogun

The boycott will work if everyone does it. Everyone is not willing to do it. Japan is playing a dangerous game. Just don't cry when the economic boycott is done to Japan.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

CHINA worrying about OKINAWA ????

THEY should worry about TIBET, TAIWAN and HONGKONG, where people are always PROTESTING about THEIR FREEDOM and INDEPENDENCE from the MAIN LAND OF CHINA !!

FREE TIBET !! FREE HONGKONG !! FREE TAIWAN !!

haha

2 ( +2 / -0 )

There will never be peace in the world.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Remind me to never borrow a map in China.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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