Chinese dissident Ai Weiwei says anti-Japan protests were encouraged

Politics Sep. 20, 2012 - 03:20PM JST ( 76 )

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76 Comments

-36

Tiger_In_The_HermitageSep. 20, 2012 - 03:47PM JST

Ai Wei Wei is against anything the government in China does. He's a tax fraud as well so not too sure about crediability.
24

telecasterplayerSep. 20, 2012 - 03:53PM JST

OF course Beijing encouraged, if not directly organized, the protests. Even out of 1.34 Billion citizens I doubt you'd find many people interested in the fate of a rock in the middle of a salt sea. No matter what natural resources may or may not be beneath.
9

alliswellinjapanSep. 20, 2012 - 03:57PM JST

Consider what he is saying is a given and nothing surprising, while indeed worth reporting.
1

WakarimasenSep. 20, 2012 - 04:03PM JST

Learry? Who would have guessed it?
6

combinibentoSep. 20, 2012 - 04:05PM JST

Whether or not they encouraged it, China sure is surprisingly inept all of a sudden at controlling or curbing these protests.
1

ultradorkSep. 20, 2012 - 04:12PM JST

Wei Wei goes bye-bye in 3,2,1....
4

TumbleDrySep. 20, 2012 - 04:16PM JST

We already knew that...
13

groinksanSep. 20, 2012 - 04:21PM JST

@TigerInThe_Hermitage - And may I ask why we should take your word for it?
6

Herve Nmn L'EisaSep. 20, 2012 - 04:28PM JST

Ai Wei Wei, a voice of truth(or at least dissent) crying out in the wilderness.

And good on him if he has avoided or minimized the robbery by taxation against him. Kill the tax beast by starvation.
11

phosphorSep. 20, 2012 - 04:34PM JST

It's kinda old news.... If PRC really wanted contain protest they would have done it on 1st day but instead they encouraged it for 8days.
2

ResurfacedSep. 20, 2012 - 04:48PM JST

It's good to hear that some Chinese are against their own country and their neanderthal-like demonstrations. I am glad he recorded everything. Put all of the Chinese bureaucrat heads on the table for everyone to see. But that is the least we can expect from China. Are we sure they are not Muslims in disguise? They surely behave like them...
-2

BertieWoosterSep. 20, 2012 - 05:20PM JST

I think China is going through a rather difficult time at present:

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/08/31/chinas_one_percent?page=full

But the anti-Japan stuff?

You mean these HUGE demonstrations, one consisted of 30 people, another in Taiwan of 100 people, and there was a picture of a Chinese guy - ONE Chinese guy - trying to set light to a Japanese flag.

It is in someone's interests to make it look as if China is on the warpath.

They are playing games with us again.
-1

mikihouseSep. 20, 2012 - 05:41PM JST

What? China is a free country and everybody can voice out their frustrations, attack shops at will, loot brand shops nothing to do with Japan. How dare you to instigate that China govt has anything to do with the peaceful protest
-1

CosSep. 20, 2012 - 06:11PM JST

Whether or not they encouraged it, China sure is surprisingly inept all of a sudden at controlling or curbing these protests.

Combi, why would they want to curb it ?
3

Elbuda MexicanoSep. 20, 2012 - 06:35PM JST

China is very stupid. Sure over 1 billion people but only a small handful have $$$, it is impossible to make more than 1 BILLION Chinese rich, it is impossible, so what happens?? You have lots and lots of pent up anger by regular hard working Chinese that are being screwed by those in Beijing, and those in power know how to harness that anger and energy, JAPAN!! Yup, every time CHINA has problems, just blame it all on JAPAN! Stupid, stupid Chinese! They are playing with fire, first attacking the Japanese embassy and today trying to attack the AMERICAN TOP DIPLOMAT's car??? What the hell are these fools in China thinking?? This will all come back to haunt China, it will blow up in their faces and it will not be pretty. I do hope the good people of China can understand that they have the power to stop their stupid government, and this is what SCARES THE HELL out of those corrupt bastards in Beijing!!!
7

YubaruSep. 20, 2012 - 06:35PM JST

Hey like I said before with a country of over 1 Billion people needing to be fed, with worsening economic conditions, a populace that is vastly rural, with the have's and have-not's increasing, it's easy to put the focus on an outside "enemy".
-4

tmarieSep. 20, 2012 - 07:00PM JST

Oh imagine, the government stirring sentiments up so the public will forget about all the issues the government is facing. How's that trial going anyway - haven't heard anything in a few days about it...

Poor on the part of the Chinese government - though I certainly didn't expect anything less when it comes to such matters. Plenty of government are guilty of creating distractions when things are going wrong in their backyard.

Now, when does this guy get arrested??
2

Charles RoviraSep. 20, 2012 - 07:11PM JST

Is there any doubt that the protests are encouraged and officially sanctioned?

There was a discovery of oil and gas made near the islands. China would be delighted at the thought of reducing its dependency on foreign energy sources.
3

Daffy_DuckSep. 20, 2012 - 07:23PM JST

Yeah, we kinda figured this out already.
-7

honeySep. 20, 2012 - 07:52PM JST

Perhaps,but let's face it.Japan's arrogant action to buy the Islands started this conflict.
0

tamanegiSep. 20, 2012 - 07:58PM JST

Wow who da thunk it?
0

YubaruSep. 20, 2012 - 08:02PM JST

There was a discovery of oil and gas made near the islands. China would be delighted at the thought of reducing its dependency on foreign energy sources.

As noted, this "discovery", actually it should be noted, the POTENTIAL for oil or gas, is THE ONLY reason that China cares about those rocks.
0

tinky1Sep. 20, 2012 - 08:23PM JST

How come ai Wei Wei happened to be on top of an office block opposite the embassy to convienantly film all the action?
5

jacksrelSep. 20, 2012 - 08:28PM JST

As everybody knows that already the protest is backed by govt , not only backed but well planed by communist, in China even people's are not allowed peaceful protest now going the way of violence, officials are trying to massage the world how Chinese people are hurt by that and communist party will do everything to protect thair sovereignty and people's respect even war. By this way communist govt of China have much profit as they think the reasons are that 1 . Now China is first rtrading partner of Japan so they think for Japan its much hard to go with war way cause it will hurt Japan much 2. By this action communist can win Chinese peoples hurt by protecting thair rights and nationalism 3. Communist party is going for leader change very soon but they have much fear that maybe people will protest for democratic move with that change but now protest agonist Japan make them hero as replying Japan as they can. 4. Business is the big profit for China now cause they know if war will happen Japan will suffer more by setting up industries in other countries but china will hurt also but they don't care about that now cause of Chinese govt need to become popular and saviour in Chinese people hurt for new govt. So now the main prob is that how Japan will take action, by starting shifting industries to other countries and starting war or just play cleverness and first try to shift thair economy to other countries and then start for war or cause of economic slowdown fear give islands to china and be prepared for shifting industries to other countries, well in all activities Japan need to face economic challange but it not means Japan will loose but it means Japan will learn that there is good relation ship with enemy even they act like friend but u must prepare for ur protection with doing business, so I hope in future Japan will take good action before doing business with countries countries like China or any other.
5

Ch1n4SailorSep. 20, 2012 - 08:29PM JST

If you believe for one second that the Communist Party didn't give the go ahead for these demonstrations, you're living in a dream world.

In the U.S., The instant they threw anything, much less hung out, outside an Embassy or Consulate, they would have been arrested, not only that, but if they did indeed wanted to hold a peaceful protest, they would have been required to get permits... Even in America, there is no such thing guaranteed in the constitution, only at proper place and time, as the government deems appropriate, you just can't show up with a group of people anytime you want.

Incidentally, I happened to to be Beijing on the 20th anniversary of Tienanmen Square (by coincidence of course) They had Chinese cops at every corner carrying MP5's (Chinese police normally do not carry firearms) Just to give you an idea of how strictly they control any protests.
4

black_jackSep. 20, 2012 - 08:34PM JST

It seems that the Chinese has not evolved from the times of Boxer Rebellions, Cultural Revolution. What a shame!
6

black_jackSep. 20, 2012 - 08:41PM JST

It seems that in China you are allowed to attack Japanese nationals, destroy Japanese cars, restaurants, factories in the name of patriotism, but you will be crashed by tanks if you hold a peaceful demonstration demanding democracy.
5

AvalonSep. 20, 2012 - 09:24PM JST

It's amazing how much dirt the Chinese Government has stuck on its boots yet anyone is keen on doing business with such a rogue country. It would be best for the future of mankind if just any business abandons China. Maybe then China will stop being that fat and corrupt glutton that tries to claim any piece of earth they deem useful for themselves. Give them Senkaku now and next time they claim that India or whole Japan was historically belonging China.
1

WilliBSep. 20, 2012 - 10:01PM JST

Of course they were encouraged. Mass protests in communist China don´t happen without official approval. That is a no-brainer.
-1

cardinal23Sep. 20, 2012 - 10:07PM JST

AI -At first I respected him,and then he act as an “ELITE” to criticized govt.
5

black_jackSep. 20, 2012 - 10:10PM JST

As someone said in JT, China is a country which if you give an inch, they will take a mile. If Japan gives the Senkaku, next time China will officially claim Okinawan islands (in fact some Chinese intellectuals and citizens have already started to claim them). So those naive people who think that Japan should give away these small islands to prevent war should think twice. Let's not make the same mistake as the British when they negotiated with Hitler and allowed Nazi Germany to take over Checzslovakia thinking that Hitler would be satisfied and stop threatening other countries (We all know what happened afterwards).
-3

Sir_EdgarSep. 20, 2012 - 10:15PM JST

In this article he only makes insinuations and provides no specific evidence or even examples. I have no doubt the Chinese government has allowed and even encouraged these demonstrations. But the demonstrators are not "brainwashed" and these are not all orchestrated. They are actually a lot of really angry people and it's clear the Chinese still have a grudge against a "Japan in denial".
0

neobiosSep. 20, 2012 - 10:39PM JST

The question that all members here need to think calmly, what cause such incident in the first place?

It was in fact Japan which decided to take their own action by buying those islands even though it was meant to prevent fallen into Tokyo Governor's hand but did China advised them to do so?

I know a lot of member here would simply point 100% at China and yes they took the opportunity for their advantage but is it fair to say Japan has absolutely no involve in this mess?

The solution here is simple, both sides need to take this to the International Court of Justice, settle this once and for all.
4

black_jackSep. 20, 2012 - 10:43PM JST

To Sir_Edgar,

If you try to hold a violent demonstration in a country where it is not allowed to hold a demonstration without the government's approval and the government approves it, and as soon as the government tells you to stop and you stop then this demonstration is deemed to be orchestrated by the government. Even this 'hatred' against Japan is artificially created by the CCP by filling their citizen's heads with anti-Japanese propaganda since they were kids in the school, which explains why many Chinese in their 20's and 30's feel as if they themselves suffered from the imperial Japan 70 years ago and think present-day Japan is the same as the imperial Japan.
3

globalwatcherSep. 20, 2012 - 10:44PM JST

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-09/20/content_15771688.htm

A collection of video material about the Nanjing Massacre is progressing and is expected to be completed by the end of the year, according to Zhu Chengshan, director of the Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by the Japanese Invaders.

Zhu said that Japan's recent "purchase" of the Diaoyu Islands has spurred Chinese historians to collect more information about the massacre to confront Japan's right-wingers.

According to Zhu, only about 200 survivors of the massacre are still alive, and many of them are more than 80 years old.

The Nanjing Massacre took place on Dec 13, 1937, when Japanese troops occupied the then capital of China. More than 300,000 Chinese civilians and disarmed soldiers were killed.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-02/24/content_14680471.htm

BEIJING - This year marks the 40th anniversary of the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations, an occasion that ought to be commemorated in a friendly fashion.

However, a recent denial of the 1937 Nanjing Massacre by Takashi Kawamura, the mayor of the Japanese city of Nagoya has done much to spoil the occasion.

The history of Japan's invasion of China during World War II is one of the most sensitive issues in Sino-Japanese relations. Japanese political figures should think carefully before commenting on that particular part of history, as well as avoid improper words or actions that could jeopardize the development of bilateral relations.

After the two countries officially established diplomatic relations in September 1972, late Premier Zhou Enlai and Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka both realized that mutual trust is vital to developing Sino-Japanese relations.

However, some Japanese political figures, especially right-wing politicians, have denied the Japanese invasion from time to time, a phenomenon that impairs mutual trust.

The Asian-Pacific region bears much proof of the atrocities of the Japanese military during World War II, during which time China suffered the lost of more than 35 million people, soldiers and civilians alike.

The International Military Tribunal for the Far East has affirmed that the Japanese invasion of China was a deliberate action.

The Japanese government has accepted the verdict from the Tokyo Trial and confessed its sins. But some Japanese politicians are unwilling to see the healthy development of Sino-Japanese relations.

In the past four decades, bilateral trade volume has increased to a record high of $300 billion. Exchanges in education, culture, tourism and other fields have been widely undertaken.

The Japanese government should soberly assess the overall state of bilateral relations and criticize political figures who give the wrong signals

Please read more on China Daily. I cannot post all, but all are suggesting China (Beijing) is orchastrating all riots. China is teaching and encouraging "HATE" towards Japanese that is a clear violation of 1961 Vienna International Foreign Relations. China is behind it and need to be stopped immediately. The world audience is not kept silent and ignorant any more. Shame on China!!.
1

Ryu-1inOHSep. 20, 2012 - 10:47PM JST

"Encouraged" the same way North Korea "encouraged" their people to mourn their deceased former leader. You go to jail and see your taxes double and all sorts of other privileges revoked if you don't show your "patriotism". Pragmatic communism at its best, with a lot of brainwashing twist.
3

black_jackSep. 20, 2012 - 10:50PM JST

To neobios,

This whole mess all started when China started to claim these islands for the first time in history in early 70's when they realized that the area surrounding these islands is rich in natural resource. China did not even consider these territories to be Chinese till then as maps published in China in 60's showed that these islands were Japanese. China did not even complain when the United Stated administered these islands after WWII.
-1

Kobuta ChanSep. 20, 2012 - 10:52PM JST

I hope Communist Chinese Government will not put him jail again for that comment.
4

kiyoshiMukaiSep. 20, 2012 - 10:58PM JST

China is already losing with this. How can you ask someone to honestly say sorry for something that happened 80 years ago. Thats arrogance. Chinese culture is a culture of selfish. Its. "leave all man behind".
3

Jay QueSep. 20, 2012 - 10:59PM JST

Despite smears by CCP promoters/commentors, its quite clear from this artists words (and my own reasonably free thinking mind), that the CCP is not only permitting but also promoting this bogeyman "hatred" as political theatre ahead of their big fake secret "election" this October to install a new dictator. Now, will this illustrious online publication censor my words as usual?
-1

neobiosSep. 20, 2012 - 11:08PM JST

This whole mess all started when China started to claim these islands for the first time in history in early 70's when they realized that the area surrounding these islands is rich in natural resource. China did not even consider these territories to be Chinese till then as maps published in China in 60's showed that these islands were Japanese. China did not even complain when the United Stated administered these islands after WWII.

black_jack, do you want me to say it started with Japan attacking China? Taiwan was ceded to Japan and under its rule from 1895 to 1945 after China's first war defeat. Now both of us would go on perhaps forever.

Like I said before let the court decide. Taiwan President actually considered to take it to ICJ few weeks ago, China and Japan should do the same.
6

YuriOtaniSep. 20, 2012 - 11:09PM JST

When they attacked the American diplomatic car it showed the demonstration are not anti Japanese but anti foreign. China's well known xenophobia is showing. The Chinese police let the protestors rough up the Ambassadors car but only so much to send a message.
0

Jason MaSep. 20, 2012 - 11:13PM JST

Just wanna comment a bit about Ai Weiwei. Personally I think the main reason he became so famous in the West is because of his political activism in China. IN MY OPINION, I really don't think that he's really that great of an artist. And I really don't understand why western media needs to cling on almost everything he has said about his country as if what he said has some sort of special authority. I do not know him, but again, I really don't think his art is all that great that he deserve to steel all the attention away from other more impressive artists from China. But I can see why the West like him so much because of his political stand. BTW, he's a very rich man, unlike Liu Xiabo who basically sacrifices everything he has to fight for human rights in China.
2

globalwatcherSep. 20, 2012 - 11:20PM JST

Here is another one. China is encouaging fishing around Senkaku.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-09/17/content_15763813.htm

China to offer fishing services off Diaoyu Islands

BEIJING - The Chinese fishery administration department will manage and provide services for fishing in waters near the Diaoyu Islands.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the comments at a regular press briefing on Monday afternoon.

The Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands were China's inherent territory, he said. Their adjacent waters were under China's jurisdiction and were traditional fishing grounds for Chinese fishermen, Hong said.

He added that whether Chinese fishermen would go fishing after the off season and how many would go depended on local conditions and the weather situation.
3

nigelboySep. 20, 2012 - 11:28PM JST

Like I said before let the court decide. Taiwan President actually considered to take it to ICJ few weeks ago, China and Japan should do the same.

Actually if Taiwan wants to take it to ICJ, they need to act first.

Article 93 of the United Nations Charter. 1.A state which is not a Member of the United Nations may become a party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice on to be determined in each case by the General Assembly** upon the recommendation of the Security Council. **
1

black_jackSep. 20, 2012 - 11:45PM JST

To neobis,

You are confusing Taiwan with the Senkaku islands like many Chinese as both islands were incorporated into Japan in the same year. Japan incorporated the Senkakus after confirming that no one owned it as terra nullius. It was not ceded to Japan from China along with Taiwan in the Shimonoseki Treaty. So it does not have anything to do with the first Sino-Japanese war.
-15
468259058Sep. 20, 2012 - 11:46PM JST
1. I am a Chinese.
2. What did the Diaoyu Islands' conflict come from? We have to check the history from 1880s to the present, especially what happened after WW2.
3. From my experience, Aiweiwei's words are not true.
5

freakashowSep. 20, 2012 - 11:56PM JST

Sorry to burst your bubble Ai Wei, but I'm pretty sure everyone knew that the Chinese government has been encouraging this. In fact, several other articles have already printed their suspicions of such:

http://www.businessinsider.com/china-anti-japan-protests-state-run-2012-9

http://namvietnews.wordpress.com/2012/09/20/beijing-playing-both-sides-with-protests/

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/china-news/behind-chinas-anti-japan-protests-the-hand-of-officials-292859.html

It seems that several Chinese netizens themselves have become suspicious of the protesters activities. These same netizens have run into censorship problems once they enter on the Internet, their suspicions about what they have seen. Seems to me that the Chinese government wants to crack down on any such thought that they could be involved in coordinating these riots. It seems that only certain groups have been allowed to protest and on certain days. Very suspicious indeed.
0

gyromanSep. 21, 2012 - 12:04AM JST

Ah well...all the posters here knew and posted about this..so Mr. Ai Weiwei's comment adds some kinda credibility?
-15

468259058Sep. 21, 2012 - 12:05AM JST

Way 1 for Japan:

Fight China. U.S.A, South Korea, and many other countries would get huge interents and benefits. Japan with the help of U.S.A wouldn't win China because China have nuclear weapons and Japan don't have rights to build aircrafts, nuclear weapons, and a normal military force.

Way 2 for Japan:

Make friends with as more friends as possible. The top priority is turning to be a normal country first. How can a nation call itself by an independent nation without the right to build defense power for itself.
0

michikokadaSep. 21, 2012 - 12:19AM JST

Most Chinese people don't hate Japanese and most Japanese don't hate Chinese, actually they find a lot in common.

Of course the protests (NOT the violence) are allowed, when people and government are in accord, any sane politician in power should thank god for such a rare chance and encourage it by all means.
1

michikokadaSep. 21, 2012 - 12:26AM JST

AFP failed to map out some spots: inner Mongolia, Taipei, Hong Kong, London, San Francisco...
3

freakashowSep. 21, 2012 - 12:46AM JST

Does it matter? Government has to act following most of people's will, or it would collapse sooner or later. If those protesters didn't wanna protest, they wouldn't go out even government encouraged them.

But a government that censors everything that it doesn't want others to hear or know is not one that is following its people's will at all. Add that to the fact that the government wants its citizens to burn factories and shops where they get their earnings from. That to me is not acting in the best interests of its people. How do these Chinese workers expect to put food on their table if their work is taken away from them. And citizens will protest whether they like it or not, if they either value their life enough and fear being killed by their own government for not acting by their wishes, or if they have been brainwashed thoroughly enough to believe that what their government is doing is right.
-5

Tony SunSep. 21, 2012 - 01:01AM JST

Funny how all of you just think is the CCP thats behind this and not another country.
2

YuriOtaniSep. 21, 2012 - 01:14AM JST

Beginning to think the protestors are mostly paid people. The population of Red China is 1.3 billion and there are how many protestors? It would be easy to hire at least a core group then have them go out and promote someones agenda. I see a xenophobic stout communist Vice President behind the protests and attacks. We are suppose to think the target is Japan but the real target is the current government of the Peoples Republic. These could be "practice" runs against his true target.
9

gelendestrasseSep. 21, 2012 - 01:23AM JST

The Chinese government is certainly trying to manipulate the situation. If they wanted to they could crush the demonstrations just like they have others. But they aren't. Why?

Well, the Economist is reporting that the guy tapped to be president hasn't been seen for weeks. The "trial" of Bo Xilai's wife has barely made the press. With all the high level corruption coming to light just before the (postponed?) party congress it would seem that the party has an image problem. So letting people vent about Japan is a good diversion.

Of course, as has been pointed out, the Chinese government didn't give a hoot about these rocks until they learned about the mineral wealth there. Now it's just a land grab. And the idea that the other neighbors whose land is being grabbed, Viet Nam, Phillipines, and such, shoudn't form an alliance to block the land grab? That woudn't be in China's interest, to find an alliance. So try to block everything with threats. Nice. There goes the neighborhood.
-5

michikokadaSep. 21, 2012 - 01:48AM JST

相煎何太急？握手吧：）You see 平和～和平，just the order is different, however they both mean peace. Japanese needs to understand that most Chinese learnt what happened on Chinese soil from the seniors in their family: 10millions killed by Japanese troops...many other horrible deeds...if they know the history, they would feel deeply sorry and not to commit wrong again. Most Japanese are like most Chinese, they don't like politics, they don't want war, they want peaceful life and they love their children all the same. Chinese needs to understand that most Japanese didn't learn what their troops did in Asia during WII in school or at home, they don't know. 不知者不罪。Now more than ever, especially China and Korea should make WII documentaries, books...in Japanese. Make love, do business, make babies and forget about going for war.
2

Kobuta ChanSep. 21, 2012 - 02:13AM JST

If someone has put up Anti Government in blog and then Communist Chinese Government will clear all peoples who are at Anti Japanese demonstration in the street straightaway. Communists are not interesting in using their brain and they always thinking about intimidating like Yakuza or Mafia. Communist Chinese leaders don’t realize how much money their country lost by wasting this kind of organize demonstration. Communist Chinese Government will organize Anti Japanese demonstration as long as it doesn't turn on them. Otherwise, they will stop doing once they tired. Ai Weiwei is brave man. I hope Communist will not lock him up in the jail.
-10

bao.2yeSep. 21, 2012 - 02:13AM JST

"encouraged" is not a proper word in this case. The correct word shall be " allowed".
There is no evidence to show that Chinese Government " encourage"their people to join in the anti-Japanese protests. In fact, Chinese Government tried many times to prevent this kind of anti- Japan activities in decades. If Chinese Government stop protecting the peaceful relationship between Japan and China, there will be many anti-Japanese activities in China each year.

Ai Weiwei is a playboy and he is good at making rumors.
-5

bao.2yeSep. 21, 2012 - 02:16AM JST

Japanese, Korean, Chinese are close brothers. They should try their best to hold the good relationships.
3

Nhan ThaiSep. 21, 2012 - 03:13AM JST

it is true that communist leaders encourage its people to go for protest , and if people dont follow the order then its people will be in trouble . i am from vietnam , communist of vietnam use to use this dirty game b4 too , foreign people always thinks positively about those patriots , but then they will find out the true and pity to the the patriots , lol , i was one of a forced patriot in vietnam b4 , im laughing real loud now to see the very old dirty game of the communist
0

sfjp330Sep. 21, 2012 - 03:56AM JST

Looks like if China is allowed to do these kind things, one day China will say the entire East China Sea and South China sea belongs to them and every one should have Chinese permission to navigate through it. Be wary of the "special deal just for you". This statement is the same with all salesman from China.
0

michikokadaSep. 21, 2012 - 04:23AM JST

sfjp330: that "special deal just for you" statement is the same from all sales persons around the world from all trades. Personally I don't think it's a good sales pitch unless it's true because we shouldn't assume customers are stupid. Or be a smart client, I specify my requirements to my Chijese suppliers, so yes I get something tailored-made because I design and decide.

But in terms of politics, china and japan have always been a love-hate relation, if not of the invasion in the 1930s, china&japan would be in such good relationship "envied by all nations in the world". " We should build a relationship that is better than that of a couple hood, which will be long-lasting friendliness, we have no other choice," said the former Japanese Ambassador to China whom was also a businessman. I think the world needs constructive thinking persons like him! 2012 is not the end of our world, on the contrary, it's the new beginning 新たな出会い、心の絆～
0

sfjp330Sep. 21, 2012 - 04:27AM JST

China has to do something about the energy problem. By the year 2030, China will import 80 pecent of the oil. China is desperate. I can tell you that nothing has really taken me aback more than the way that the Chinese politics on energy is a 'warping' diplomacy between Japan and China over surrounding drilling rights around Senkaku/Daioyu Islands. It has given extraordinary power to some country like China that are using that power in not very good ways for the international system. Today, oil supplies almost half of the world’s energy and 95 percent of its transportation energy. As a result, those who own the majority share of the reserves of this precious energy source, they are in the driver’s seat of the world economy and their influence is steadily growing. This is clearly why China is so assertive in island dispute. Japan should stop the negotiations entirely with China. It's not worth it.
2

nigelboySep. 21, 2012 - 04:29AM JST

Personally, I don't think neighbors should be striving to be best friends but rather bare minimum of tolerating each other. There is a good reason why nations have borders for there's always something that kept them from uniting all together in the first place.
2

cornbread1Sep. 21, 2012 - 04:31AM JST

Encouraged or not, each person is his/her own free agent and therefore needs to take responsibility for his/her own actions and behavior.
2

CrisGerSanSep. 21, 2012 - 04:52AM JST

I expected the demonatrations were staged now we have proof

best course of action for Japan is exactly what the wise government is doing, proceed on a course of quietly completing the aquisition of the islands legally and then just ignore the Chinese threats...... if China does anything agressive they will just make it worse for themselves, they have already lost tremendous credit and respect in the world ...they just threw away all the good will they had built up over a decade and more. Too bad but they are immature and still using power and force.... they will pay a heavy price in world opinion if they make it worse...and they already look very foolish.
0

OssanAmericaSep. 21, 2012 - 05:20AM JST

honeySep. 20, 2012 - 07:52PM JST Perhaps,but let's face it.Japan's arrogant action to buy the Islands started this conflict.

No it didn't. China is just trying to steal territory from it's smaller neighbors. Just like the Phillipines, Vietnam, Malaysia. All of Asia considers China a threat.
2

sfjp330Sep. 21, 2012 - 05:24AM JST

468259058Sep. 21, 2012 - 12:26AM JST Does it matter? Government has to act following most of people's will, or it would collapse sooner or later. If those protesters didn't wanna protest, they wouldn't go out even government encouraged them.

If is true that Chinese goverment leaders encourage its people to go for protest, the Chinese goverment should be held responsible for the damage Japanese companies from as a result of vandalism in recent anti-Japan protests. How ridiculous that Chinese foreign ministry has stressed repeatedly that Japan alone should shoulder all the consequences. The Japanese businesses in China are independent companies and they are not related to dispute in anyway between the goverments. Do you want your mobs to take over each time rules of China doesn't go your way? What a way to run a primitive goverment.
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sfjp330Sep. 21, 2012 - 06:06AM JST

China will not change. China is trapped in the predicament of exploitative cheap labor, excessive energy consumption, heavy pollution and foreign trade dependency. Now, the China's vulnerable feel the pain, the land-losing peasants, the struggling migrants and the children and elderly and sick people they left behind and, in the end, angry strikers, petitioners and protesters. The Chinese leaders at all levels have become younger and better educated, but the system still hinders able, independent candidates, and tends to promote the mediocre and obedient. The total secrecy of Chinese politics at the top hurts the system itself by showing its lack of self-confidence and a deep distrust of citizens. It is difficult to anticipate any decisive change in China's political economy.
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hachikoreloadedSep. 21, 2012 - 06:53AM JST

To the chinese people with my best intentions...Sun Tsu said, "Know your enemy"
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JoeBigsSep. 21, 2012 - 06:56AM JST

“But to use that kind of tactics in this kind of international discussion seems pretty naïve. It is like the 1960s."

An honest voice, too bad that he will most likely pay dearly for that honesty.
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JoeBigsSep. 21, 2012 - 07:14AM JST

Kobuta ChanSep. 20, 2012 - 10:52PM JST I hope Communist Chinese Government will not put him jail again for that comment.

More proof of how well the "Water Internet Army" works.

The PRC is a real sick place, jail a person for speaking his mind.

But, if you and your friends head out into the streets and act like uncivilized thugs well, that is a-o-k-a-y.

The PRC is using chinldish tactics that are over 100 years old.
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JoeBigsSep. 21, 2012 - 07:20AM JST

tinky1Sep. 20, 2012 - 08:23PM JST How come ai Wei Wei happened to be on top of an office block opposite the embassy to convienantly film all the action?

Because he heard where the PRC ordered their robots to start protesting.
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fdsSep. 21, 2012 - 10:20AM JST

He's a tax fraud as well so not too sure about crediability.

From my experience, Aiweiwei's words are not true

and the chinese government is credible?
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globalwatcherSep. 21, 2012 - 02:32PM JST

Here is a Datsu-A-Ron written by Yukichi Fukuzawa that needs to be re-evaluated in this time of crisis. This may sounds offensive to others, but I have a seconds thoughts about China.

Once the wind of Western civilization blows to the East, every blade of grass and every tree in the East follow what the Western wind brings... The spread of civilization is like the measles... In my view, these two countries [China and Korea] cannot survive as independent nations with the onslaught of Western civilization to the East... It is not different from the case of the righteous man living in a neighborhood of a town known for foolishness, lawlessness, atrocity, and heartlessness. His action is so rare that it is always buried under the ugliness of his neighbors' activities... We do not have time to wait for the enlightenment of our neighbors so that we can work together toward the development of Asia. It is better for us to leave the ranks of Asian nations and cast our lot with civilized nations of the West... Those [who] are intimate with bad friends are also regarded bad, therefore I will deny those bad Asian friends from my heart.