China says Japan distorted facts in island dispute; no meeting between Kan, Wen

“Japan spread groundless distortions. ... They want to make the Diaoyu islands a hot-topic issue,” he said. “The Japanese side should take responsibility for ruining the atmosphere for leaders of the two countries.”

fairly true, quite visible from JT's reporting and its click counts :) so what to do now? Relax and Happy Year-End ! Let's all pray and hope for the best in year of rabbit and make sure panda is treated with more care.

I suspect that the leaders of the PRC are flabbergasted that many ASEAN countries are resisting their "divide and conquer" tactics with the support of the US. So for don't "look weak" in the eyes of the chinese people they bash the US and Japan in the media for "look strong". North Korea to do that a lot is in it?

lol, Chinese need to grow up.

Naoto Kan waited for 20 minutes, but didn't get a chance to see Wen this time.

Lots of half truths, like the sinking of the south korean ship by the "north korean submarine" a few months after the hype (lie) a small article appears stating that it wasn't necessarily a proven fact and it perhaps could have been a lost US mine from a recent S Korea/US military exercise. But it worked to help Hatoyama save face in his wavering about the US base transfer in Okinawa.

To restore the relationship, Seiji Maehara has to go. He played double-talks with Chinese yesterday and completely lost their trust.

But on the other side, Maehara is playing the hard-ball to win popularity and is on track to replace Kan as the new prime minister. So the relationship won't be back, on the contrary it may go worse for a long time.

To restore the relationship, Seiji Maehara has to go.

Sure, as soon as Wen Jiabao goes. China has to give something up too. :)

Why did JCG captured the Chinese fishing boat? 1997 fisheries agreement allows both sides' fishermen to operate free of regulation around the islands. So it's not clear why the Japanese coast guard needed to stop the Chinese boat. The Japan-China fisheries agreement, which was concluded in 1997 and took effect in 2000. However, the agreement made no decision about regulating operations in the area of the sea around the Senkaku Islands. The 1997 Japan-China fisheries agreement, concerning the Senkaku Islands and vicinity, within the provisional area, the fishing boats of either country can operate without permission from the other and either country has regulatory rights only over its own fishing boats.

JWBush at 08:29 AM JST - 30th October To restore the relationship, Seiji Maehara has to go. He played double->talks with Chinese yesterday and completely lost their trust.

Word I'm hearing is that a news source misquoted Maehara and even issued a correction but the Chinese refused to accept it and instead used this as an excuse to cancel the meeting. Doesb't take a rocket scientist to see that they're playing to the anti-japan populace.

"China again asserted its sovereignty over the islands, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu saying they “have been an integral part of Chinese territory since ancient times.”

This guy can give up his day job. What ISN'T "Chinese since ancient times"?

These Japanese/Chinese claimed islands belong to the world or should. Imagine if an alien spaceship came to the earth and looked at all the squabbling countries and their lack of being able to work together. We as human beings are truly a bunch of immature siblings all grabbing for whatever we want to call ours. It's time to form a world government without borders and work towards a common goal instead of all the power brokering that will cause the world to end as we know it a few centuries from now.

Why did JCG captured the Chinese fishing boat?

It was a direct order by Maehara.

Beijing also slammed U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton for speaking out about the territorial dispute

The U.S. needs to stay the hell out of this matter, it has absolutely nothing to do with us... Shame on her, Hillary... The democrats have been picking fights, that have nothing to do with our national priorities... And they're going to lose the house in a few days... Good for them....

Hatoyama took a policy trying to gain more control from American, and was pretty warm to China. But that actually worried Chinese, since Japan didn't have a stable government. And they knew Hatoyama would fail his mission and Japan would be humiliated.

A big U-turn was predicated and Japanese would try to gain compensation for that humiliation from Chinese side. That's the nature of Japanese and they always play this game. Things are prepared on that side and most the change is Japan will get a double humiliation.

mindovermatter at 09:37 AM JST - 30th October "Beijing also slammed U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton for speaking out about the territorial dispute" The U.S. needs to stay the hell out of this matter, it has absolutely >nothing to do with us..

What planet do you live on? It has alot to do with "us". Japanese control of the islands keeps China's territorial expansion in the East China Sea in check, a manouver they are pulling to challenge he U.S. 7th Fleet. China's "disputes" with Vietnamn, Phillipines all are part of China's agenda of controlling the sealanes that supply the democratic Asian nations with oil. All these nations are relying on "us" to provide a counter balance to China's militrary threat. Which "us" are you refering to?

kyoken at 09:29 AM JST - 30th October Why did JCG captured the Chinese fishing boat? It was a direct order by Maehara.

Because it rammed the two JCG ships instead of complying like all the other chinese fishing boats.

Molenir: "lol, Chinese need to grow up."

Haha,yeah,but not Japan...isn't distorting facts a cultural thing here ?

China sees all of asia as belonging to China and untill this is recognised they will not refrain from there aggressive behaviour, the more area china controls the more dominant it becomes, one day china would like to control/dominate the world so now is the time to restrain this beast before it gets really out of hand.

China: No need to talk to liars! Good move!

Some body claimed that Japan was never a Chinese tributary state, that's not correct.

Starting from East Han dynasty, 3 kingdom period, Japan was a tributary Chinese state. That golden seal?

Tang, Song saw many Japanese tributary missions. The name Nippon was approved by Tang emperor. There were many tributary mission in Ming period as well. Letters and tributary list can be checked even today.

It was indeed a Chinese tributary state.

Maehara blows like a clown to play card just for himself with no political wise in foreign affairs especially to cope with neighbor China. Until he resigns, I can see improved relations with China.

China: Unlike the weak and internationally disowned Tibetans --shame on us-- the Japanese and other nations will not be a simple walk in and do as you please scenario.

@OssanAmerica

What planet do you live on? It has alot to do with "us". Japanese control of the islands keeps China's territorial expansion in the East China Sea in check, a manouver they are pulling to challenge he U.S. 7th Fleet. China's "disputes" with Vietnamn, Phillipines all are part of China's agenda of controlling the sealanes that supply the democratic Asian nations with oil. All these nations are relying on "us" to provide a counter balance to China's militrary threat. Which "us" are you refering to?

Oh, so according to your logic, the u.s. should go along with Japan's claim of the "Kuril Islands" island as well..? Oh, and let's not forget the "Dokdo" islands too... Oh, but let's not stop there, there are probably half a dozen other islands that Japan makes some claim against...

I am NO big Fan of China, but the U.S. needs to stay the Hell out of these kind of petty disputes... We sure as hell didn't do much, when Japan had a REAL problem, with North Korea abducting people...

This is a problem Japan needs to come to terms with, they've made their bed, over the last 65 years, and now they need to deal with these neighbors. I am not even going to get started on the reasons Japanese feel so strongly about these islands... If you've lived in Japan for any matter of time, Japan not only distorts history, but has encouraged the sentiment that Japan was a Victim of WW2...

And When you've actually served your country, then you can make statements about it... Are you another, "Dick Cheney," 5 deferment, "Chicken-Hawk...?" Have you actually served, or are you just saying, Do as I say, not as I do...?

kyoken at 09:29 AM JST - 30th October Why did JCG captured the Chinese fishing boat? It was a direct order by Maehara.

Because it rammed the two JCG ships instead of complying like all the other chinese fishing boats.

ok, then why did they release him and allowed to be flown by Chartered Plane to China ?! Whole affair seems a big blunder on the part of Japan.

mindovermatter at 10:55 AM JST - 30th October @OssanAmerica Oh, so according to your logic, the u.s. should go along with Japan's >claim of the "Kuril Islands" island as well..?

The Kuriles are not the subject of this article.

Oh, and let's not forget the "Dokdo" islands too... Oh, but let's not >stop there,

Takemshima/Dokdo is not the sunject of this article.

there are probably half a dozen other islands that Japan makes some >claim against...

Japan has 4 territorial disputes. China has 17.

I am NO big Fan of China, but the U.S. needs to stay the Hell out of >these kind of petty disputes... We sure as hell didn't do much, when >Japan had a REAL problem, with North Korea abducting people...

The North Korean abductions of Japanese civilians duiring the 1970s/80s is not the subject of this article. Furthermore we were never asked to do anything about it.

This is a problem Japan needs to come to terms with, they've made their >bed, over the last 65 years, and now they need to deal with these >neighbors. I am not even going to get started on the reasons Japanese >feel so strongly about these islands...

Yes Japan made their bed for the last 65 years by having no conflicts with other countries. And now countries like North Korea and China are bringing the conflict to them. And you;re right that Japan needs to come to terms with these threats.

If you've lived in Japan for any matter of time, Japan not only distorts >history, but has encouraged the sentiment that Japan was a Victim of >WW2...

What country on this planet doesn't distort history? And the civilians were in fact victims just as civiliams all over the world were victims.

And When you've actually served your country, then you can make >statements about it... Are you another, "Dick Cheney," 5 >deferment, "Chicken-Hawk...?" Have you actually served, or are you just >saying, Do as I say, not as I do...?

Actually I have, but unlike you, I don't bring irrelevant personal issues into the discussion. And I note you say "your" country not "ours". What country did YOU serve? If you are an American, short of not reading any news at all, you would be aware of the openly declared threat that China poses and the role that Japan plays in our strategic position in Asia.

sheetu at 10:40 AM JST - 30th October Maehara blows like a clown to play card just for himself with no >political wise in foreign affairs especially to cope with neighbor >China. Until he resigns, I can see improved relations with China.

Until China ceases to be a militant dictatorship I don't see improved relations with the rest of the world.

Hilarious, mindovermatter thinks that the first amendment right applies only to soldiers.

When has a border dispute situation not been distorted by a nation to benefit themselves? Japan should just relax, this supposed snub has been scripted a long time ago, scheduled to happen after a border incident that was in my opinion initiated by China. The captain of the fishing boat might not be an agent provocateur, but there's no doubt that China was spoiling for a fight against Japan (and by extension America) to test its growing power in the Asian region. If Japan appeases now, they can expect that all of their standing disputes with China will soon be lost.

China just "won" another round!

China just "won" another round!

What did China win? China keeps proving to the world its a very unreliable and unstable country. Chinese people should be very ashamed and embarrassed to have immature leadership in control of thier country. People around the world are laughing at you China...wake up.

And I'm sure that we can trust China to give the undistorted truth right? Because after all, they clearly have no agenda.

“Japan spread groundless distortions. ... They want to make the Diaoyu islands a hot-topic issue,”

Now distoring history... THAT is a Japanese tradition for sure. China is no peach in any of this, and have most certainly played up the incident in their own way, but here we are again seeing Japan bring their bilater issues to the front-and-center at an international conference.

Aww, the angry little kid does not get the toy he wants and is enraged ... yet again. China needs to learn to grow up. Everytime they pull such stunt their international images degrades even more.

“Japan spread groundless distortions. ... They want to make the Diaoyu islands a hot-topic issue,”

Once again we see Japan taking a bilateral issue and trying to make it the main topic at an international discussion. No offense to Japan, but there are FAR more important issues on the table.

As I said, but which was removed, China is no flower in all this by any means, and can easily be called guilty, I would think, in distorting facts to their purpose as well. But to accuse only one party of being in the wrong here is foolish.

China needs to learn to grow up.

China has grown up (with the help of global greed) and that is creating the problem.

China again asserted its sovereignty over the islands, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu saying they “have been an integral part of Chinese territory since ancient times.”

Perhaps when they feel sufficiency of strength, the oligarchy in Beijing will make claims farther afield. It was dear comrade Moa who said, “Political power grows from the barrel of a gun.” It’s not too much of a stretch to imagine that such a violent outlook on life can translate into a gun—whether it be economic or military—being pointed at neighboring countries.

I can almost see America smirking.

Japan knew the dispute of the EEZ boundaries. If Japan and China do not agree and honor the EEZ boundaries, how can Japan enforce the unrecognized boundaries that Japan goverment claims? JCG went out 40nm to create an incident. What if China did this to Japan fishing boat in unrecognized EEZ boundaries? You will say China does not have self control. Well, in this case, Japan did not have self control.

According to Xinhua, China wins everything. Oh, and Tienenmen "incident" didn't happen.

The world continues to see immaturity in Chinese diplomacy.

OssanAmerica at 09:46 AM JST - 30th October. Because it rammed the two JCG ships instead of complying like all the other chinese fishing boats.

OssanJapan, does Japan own the international waters and make their own rules the boundaries? What Japan did was nothing but a pirate behavior 40 nautical miles off Senkaku. There would be mass chaos in not knowing where each countries have boundaries. Territorial waters is defined as Inland and coastal waters under the jurisdiction of a nation or state, especially the ocean waters within 12 miles or 19.3 kilometers of the shoreline. Japan has acknowledged for long time the international rule of 12 mile of territorial waters. Chinese fishing boat can fish outside the 12 mile zone anywhere and JCG should stay away.

smithinjapan at 12:40 PM JST - 30th October. China is no flower in all this by any means, and can easily be called guilty, I would think, in distorting facts to their purpose as well.

If China is so guilty, why is there 20,000 Japanese companies in mainland? Time to go home.

@sfjp330

No they cannot since there is an Exclusive Economic Zone which is 200 nautical miles or inter median from each others coastline. Japan claims Senkaku islands so this rule also applies placing the Chinese fishing boats within Japanese jurisdiction. The PRC and Taiwanese boats have right for safe passage without any need for declaration but have NO rights to fish within the boundaries without permission by Japanese authorities.

"It was dear comrade Moa who said, “Political power grows from the barrel of a gun.” It’s not too much of a stretch to imagine that such a violent outlook on life can translate into a gun—whether it be economic or military—being pointed at neighboring countries."

There is very little that can be revamped - the Clinton Administration gave both economic and military power to the PRC - the Loral missile technology transfer augmented the accuracy of the PRC missiles (something not lost on Taiwan leadership). Considerable manufacturing infrastructure was transferred to the PRC, w/ the US a major consumer. US/ROK wargames off the coast of the PRC heightens increasing submarine activity off the islands. Escalation should commence after the Chinese New Year, so everyone should go on moderate alert now.

SamuraiBlue at 01:59 PM JST - 30th OctoberNo they cannot since there is an Exclusive Economic Zone which is 200 nautical miles or inter median from each others coastline. Japan claims Senkaku islands so this rule also applies placing the Chinese fishing boats within Japanese jurisdiction. The PRC and Taiwanese boats have right for safe passage without any need for declaration but have NO rights to fish within the boundaries without permission by Japanese authorities.

You need to look at facts rather than dream. A 1997 Japan-China fisheries agreement allows both sides' fishermen to operate free of regulation around the Senkaku islands. So it's not clear why the Japanese coast guard needed to stop the Chinese boat.

I like it. We get fresh air in Tokyo when its over -- the only time we can see a starry sky here at night.

Can't we all just be friends? We are all simply "tourists" on this planet earth. Our days are numbered for sure. Just as we came, one by one we shall leave. Let's have fun whilst we are still breathing for goodness sake!

@ sfjp330 Probably because of this;

article 7 defines provisional areas of the sea. However, those areas are limited to North Latitude 27 degrees and further North. The Senkaku Islands territorial sea located between North Latitude 25 and 26 is not included within the provisional areas of the sea. The North Latitude 27 line is about 100 kilometers North of the Senkaku Islands, and the exclusive economic waters near the islands (a radius of 200 nautical miles = 370 kilometers) to the north of this area is included in the provisional areas of the sea where Chinese and Japanese boats can operate freely. However, the sea around the Senkakus, where the Coast Guard captured a Chinese boat is outside the provisional areas of the sea.

I cannot think of any civilized nation or developed nation that has these kind of hissy fits like China does, it seems like every time someone in any sort of upper or semi-upper position in another country says anything China does not agree with, China cancels, stops or postpones any and all sorts of meetings like a little child "Johnny brother said a mean thing about me so I won't talk to anyone who is his friend or his family anymore!"

The only other places that do this sort of childish behavior are places like North Korea, Iran, Venezuela ( under loony Chavez) and a few other totalitarian regimes run by leader with dubious mental stability!

How many times have we heard EU leaders make derogatory remarks about the USA and its leaders and vise versa, then think if you have every seen or heard of either side acting like China!

And don't bring up the France, USA stupidity during the Bush administration, there may have been a lot of silly things done and said but diplomatic relations, meeting and business went on as usual.

Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Can I ask what a CCP pro China blogger is doing spending so much time on a Japan based English language website?

sfjp330: "If China is so guilty, why is there 20,000 Japanese companies in mainland? Time to go home."

So, are you suggesting China is perfect and has done NOTHING wrong in all of this? That would be a gross distortion in and of itself. I'm saying BOTH nations have done wrong in this incident, and BOTH have played up their side of the argument, and the wrong-doings of the other side. What I also said is that this is not the venue for the Japanese to be going around and quietly fanning the flames in order to get support.

Ironic mode on: "topics that no one have to talk with others except in secret with the leaders of PRC: Senkaku, Spratly, Arunachal Pradesh, Tibet, rare earths, nobel prize, military build up, authorizing anti-japanese protests, try to block a UN report about chinese bullets in Darfur, defend North Korea regime, some chinese firms helping Iran to improve its missile technology and develop nuclear weapons, building dams in China that reduce the level of rivers in countries like India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, affecting millions of Asians. Talk about any of this in public is "an attack on China" and PRC is going to retaliate by cancel any talk. We can't let that happen because China is our trade partner and we want China to help us to keep world peace and control WMD, even if some people think that they are doing the opposite." Ironic mode off.

What facts exactly did Japan distort?

China said it will not use the metals as a “bargaining tool.”

Who is distorting the truth here?

What are these tantrums of 'now we talk to you and now we don't'?

It was predicted more than half a century ago that China would become the greatest threat to stability in the world. It seems this time has arrived. The sleeping tiger, the pouting tiger, the growling tiger and next . . . Figure it out.

The Japanese side has ruined the atmosphere for talks? And Hu said that? Who is this man? Is he a politician? Is he any kind of leader? I guess he pretends he is. He and his buddies wish the differences, conflicts to linger, to grow, to fester. For what purpose? What is the meaning of diplomacy to China? I don't get it.

sfjp330 at 01:43 PM JST - 30th October OssanJapan, does Japan own the international waters and make their own >rules the boundaries? What Japan did was nothing but a pirate behavior >40 nautical miles off Senkaku.

No, Japan owns the Senkakus and crtaibly controls them and has EEZ rights. If China doesn't like it they can become an ICJ signatory and present their argument. Or they can try to invade and take it by force. The only party guilty of "pirate behavior" is the Chinese captain who rammed the JCG vessels, legal law enforcement vessels in those waters. And China's behavior following has been nothing less that hysterical and childish.

Chinese fishing boat can fish outside the 12 mile zone anywhere and JCG >should stay away.

Wrong, the EEZ extebds beyond the 12 mile zone.

some14some at 01:15 PM JST - 30th October "China needs to learn to grow up." China has grown up (with the help of global greed) and that is creating >the problem.

No, China has grown bigger. But it certainly hasn't grown up. THAT is the problem.

I agree with Ossan, the USA needs to make China understand that it will not let Japan, a real US political and economic ally just be bullied by the Beijing communist regime. China has been using North Korea for a long, long time to intimidate South Korea and Japan, but not everyone in the free world can see, that China is back to trying to pressure it's smaller Asian neighbors, but now the world is different and China must understand the USA will not let it do what ever the hell it wants to do with out having to pay the consequences. We must be strong and help the small ASEAN countries know that the USA will protect them from that big mean communist Beijing regime.

china is acting like a bully but if japan was blameless i don't see why they don't just release the video.

OssanAmerica at 12:26 AM JST - 31st October. No, Japan owns the Senkakus and crtaibly controls them and has EEZ rights. If China doesn't like it they can become an ICJ signatory and present their argument. Or they can try to invade and take it by force. The only party guilty of "pirate behavior" is the Chinese captain who rammed the JCG vessels, legal law enforcement vessels in those waters. And China's behavior following has been nothing less that hysterical and childish.

Then why don't you clarify for me the 1997 Japan-China fisheries agreement allows China and Japan fishermen to operate free of regulation around the Senkaku islands.

OssanAmerica at 12:26 AM JST - 31st October. The only party guilty of "pirate behavior" is the Chinese captain who rammed the JCG vessels, legal law enforcement vessels in those waters. And China's behavior following has been nothing less that hysterical and childish.

OssanJapan, who has childish behavior and change of policy? The Japanese Coast Guard has been stationing patrol boats to track Chinese fishing boats around the Senkaku Islands, but it had never captured or arrested a Chinese boat, although it vigorously monitored boats from Taiwan and Hong Kong. In the Senkaku territorial sea, partly because of the agreement with Deng Xiaoping to shelve the territorial dispute between Japan and China, both countries adopted the attitude of avoiding conflict at the governmental level, even if political activists among the people demanded the protection of the Senkaku/Diaoyutai Islands. This time, however, the Japanese authorities captured a Chinese boat and arrested the captain. This is an epoch-making event that signifies a reversal of policies toward China. Why now?

We are all simply "tourists" on this planet earth. Our days are numbered for sure. Just as we came, one by one we shall leave. Let's have fun whilst we are still breathing for goodness sake!

Professor, what are all of those armies we have. It's kind of like our muscles. If we don't use it, we lose it. And considering that we have spent so much money on them..... :->

China is right; yes, Japan did sistort the facts and Japan should be ashamed as it is well known that Drmkaku was a Ryukyuan possession and Japan annexed an unarmed nation and kidnapped King Sho. who was held prisoner until his death. Then Japan went on a rampage and was finally brought to heel and the Cairo Accords took over and FDR wanted to take Okinawa from Japan and he did offer Okinawa to China, who refused as China had no money to support Okinawa and then Hirohito gave okinawa to Macarthur, if he would not put Occupasional armies on the four main islands of Japan and FDR died - then came the "secret deals" I lived on Okinawa when it was a GRI (Government of the Ryukyu Islands) and I knew the Chief Executive Ota (Not Masahide) I married a Ryukyuan and she has a Ryukyuan Passport. - Then came the High Commissioner and we were promised the United Nations was to return the island to the Ryukyuan people. We Are still waiting!

It's a habit with Japan, they absolutely distort every fact that doesn't agree with their insatiable greed

If China continues to bad mouth U.S. in their foreign policy, why don't they carry their own weight and reduce trade with U.S. Currently, U.S. has $225 billion a year trade deficiet with China and this is a ridiculous number that is not substainable. Does America really need all the garbage from China? The U.S. Congress should implement heavy tariffs on all Chinese products that hurts domestic manufacturer. U.S. can depend on Japan and other allies.

im not sure that japan is , but im so sure that , this is the clearly sign of dishonest and dishonor china in south china sea recently , LOL . china thinking of japan is being , but it shows obviously that is bullying china in south china sea rite now