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China tightening customs inspections for Japanese products

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By Kyoko Hasegawa

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© 2012 AFP

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Food from Fukushima??

-13 ( +3 / -16 )

More work for Chinese workers. Slower delivery of products to Chinese customers. Seems like china is just causing more headache for themselves.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Hahahahaha Chinese love Japanese products than their own that's why they chinese tourist flocked Japan for their shopping spree. Chinese knows very well that chinese products are all imitation, no good, and copied from Japan and other countries. Thanks to the companies who put their factories in China for cheap labor and costings for their own greed and profit. Your products are now copied and labeled Made in China.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

I suggest Japan retaliate by taking a key from the French and making all Chinese imports to Japan transit Hakodate.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

China acting like a spoilt child because they didn't get their way.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

I like the move of China.

-12 ( +0 / -12 )

It is no doubt a childish offense as they usually don't. It seems that China does not care about anything on how the World think about China after week riots.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Say what you want, but what China is doing working magnificiantly. Japan is squirming in its chair like no other. Case in point, what Japan PM Noda has just said. He says just said the selling of the island has caused all this problem with China, and he wants resolve this issue with China, by sitting down and talking.

There you have it boys, a total capitulation from your PM.

But if I was China, I would squeeze the noose tighter, and get the island back once and for all, by forcing the Japanese tin pot navy to clear the area, just at a time Japan is squirming. Otherwise this trouble will continue in the future. The economic pressure alone should do the trick, since tiny Japan which is economically sinking, is no match for China.

-17 ( +3 / -20 )

Korean products has become more and more popular in Asia. The quality is good and the price is competitive.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Chucky3176 - yes, perhaps you are right - although we do miss the riots. We enjoyed watching Chinese rioter making their dirty polluted country more dirty. I agree with you, but don't you think the rioter should return in addition to these tougher inspections?

We Westerner are growing accustomed to, and beginning to enjoy this charming Chinese riot culture.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

But if I was China, I would squeeze the noose tighter, and get the island back once and for all,

You mean "get the island". As in, for the first time, not get it "back". China never owned these islands and no Chinese person had ever set foot on them historically.

Even if you support China's desires to acquire these islands, don't fall for their revisionist history in which they conjure claims of past ownership out of whole cloth.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

In the age of internet, some Japanese are still so ignorant of the history and turn a blind eye to the sovereign evidence put forwarded by China. I guess the reason for that isn't the lack of true information available, but a lack of objectivity, and the tendency to hold their prejudice forever.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

lol.. well we'll see what happens when Japan tries to send their envoy (that's what Noda has mentioned he will do) to China. I don't believe neither country owns those islands, but if I were China, this would be the moment to go for the jugular vein - get the islands, as well as get an official national legislated apology with stamp of approval from the Japanese parliament, for the war crimes it committed - otherwise no economic trade. Japan's economy, isolated from Asia, cannot survive without China. Japan seriously miscalculated China, as already admitted by Noda.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

thywillbedoneSep. 21, 2012 - 08:47PM JST

We Westerner are growing accustomed to, and beginning to enjoy this charming Chinese riot culture.

I am a Westerner who has just come back from China! In Europe, some riots are more violent than China. There were some blood shed and loss of lives in EU. Not in China! It is true that China has over reacted! However it is not entirely their fault! It TAKES TWO TO DANCE THE TANGO!

Last year Japan was under mercy of natural disasters and nuclear radiation. I was in some Chinese cities. I saw Chinese Red Cross and some charity organization collected donations for Japan victims. Not only China, Korea and Taiwan got sympathy for Japan suffering and sent their disaster relief team and donation! Why did 2011 and 2012 is different like day and night? The answer is current right wing J government and his advisor!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I think it is Japan that should be tightening their customs on Chinese items. Since the Chinese riots were staged they mean nothing except to show the intent of the Chinese Government.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Dear Zenpun,

All of these messes were primarily caused by China by claiming islands that they never controlled or even showed interest till a few decades ago when it was found that the area is rich in natural resources, and by making their people believe that those islands were taken by Japan along with Taiwan from China by force. Don't forget that this kind of anti-Japanese demonstrations are encouraged and orchestrated by the Chinese government when they see it is the right moment to put pressure on Japan. Stop being naive! The owner wanted to sell these islands when the lease was about to terminate. However as the government did not show interest, Tokyo tried to buy these islands to build infrastructure. The government then tried to prevent this by nationalizing the islands in order to prevent provoking China. So at least the Japanese government tried to calm the situation by avoiding installing any kind of infrastructure in these islands. Just because the government is not trying to renounce these islands, this dose not mean that they are right-wingers!

I think Japan can do whatever it wants with these islands as they are Japanese territory. It is China that is trying to worsen the peace in Asia by claiming and trying to take over islands that they have never possessed or controlled. Don't forget that China is also claiming the whole South China Sea.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Childish China.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The Japanese are going to pay the price for its declining economy.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Japanese politicians will win more support and the people will bear the cost.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The government then tried to prevent this by nationalizing the islands in order to prevent provoking China.

That's just a false excuse. China had warned Japan countless time, not to even think about that. What did Japan do? Ignored the warnings. That tells all right there that Japan's goal was not to prevent provoking China, but to provoke it. You Japanophiles, why do you keep excusing Japan even when they're clearly in the wrong?

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

China is using trade to blackmail Japan into giving up the rocks, just like the dirty Russians do with their natural gas.

The only thing this does is prove to the rest of the world that they are unreliable, untrustworthy trading partners.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I agree with Bling. These communist dictatorships are not worth the aggravation - lots of companies pulled out of Russia years ago, so maybe China is the next to be wiped off the international trade map and sent back in to the oblivion of the sixties and seventies. China could not make the grade.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Dear chuck3176,

Japan can do whatever she wants with these islands as they are Japanese. Chinese claims over these islands are not based on international law, which explains why they never suggests to take the matter to the International Court of Justice. They did not even consider them to be their territory which explains why China never complained when when the USA administered those islands after WWII.

2 ( +4 / -3 )

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.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

In my view, these two countries [China and Korea] cannot survive as independent nations with the onslaught of Western civilization to the East...

And yet one of them is now the 2nd biggest economy in the world, and the other the 15th biggest.

I think we can pretty much safely disregard this particular chap's opinions.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

China tightening customs inspections for Japanese products

This suggests Washington and Tokyo need to do the same. As Romney stated China is a trade cheater. American hostility fowards products made in China is beyond imagination.

I conciously avoid products made in China. I do not go to Walmart (we call it as Ghetto Mart) and Seiyu when I visit Japan as Chinese products are all inferior. I want to pay more for good quality products. We get what we pay for.

Within next 4 years, no matter who becomes US President, we will bring jobs back from China and this agenda is on the way. There are pending policies discouraging jobs moving to China and incentives moving jobs back to USA .

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Wen pushes for EU treaty

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-09/21/content_15772084.htm

This treaty is meaningless unless China is willing to honor and respect 1961 Vienna International Relation Accord. Hope EU leaders are not fooled by PRC.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I want to pay more for good quality products.

Wonderful if you've got the money so to do. Not everybody has the luxury of choice.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

" . . . why do you keep excusing Japan even when they're clearly in the wrong?"

"Clearly," my arse. China only started showing greater interest in the islands when they found out their might be mineral resources there. Before that, they hardly batted an eye.

Material greed, pure and simple.

And for every argument China attempts to level against Japan about pre-war possesions, there's but one word that makes China's bleating ultimately hollow: Tibet.

The day China marches out of Tibet and gives those people their freedom again might be the day Japan decides to consider handing over the Sengokus. Until then, China hasn't got an argumentative leg to stand on..

1 ( +5 / -4 )

" . . . as Chinese products are all inferior."

You'll get no argument from me that China cheats on numerous levels when it comes to bolstering their own economy in the world markets, but to issue a blanket statement that Chinese products are all inferior? That's just silly.

Among countless other personal consumer electronics, iPods and iPads are made in China. Nothing low-quality about those two items at all.

If you're going to gripe about China, keep it in the realm of verifiable fact, not frustrated bluster.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

You'll get no argument from me that China cheats on numerous levels when it comes to bolstering their own economy in the world markets, but to issue a blanket statement that Chinese products are all inferior? That's just silly.

Among countless other personal consumer electronics, iPods and iPads are made in China. Nothing low-quality about those two items at all.

Chinese products are fine if products are manufactured under specification of Japanese and US engineering. I am speaking for Chinese One Dollar stores. You may want ask your female friends if they buy professional suits from Walmart. I do not buy any food made in China as package has no expiration. They can sit on stores forever.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Chinese products are fine if products are manufactured under specification of Japanese and US engineering.

AND if Japanese or US engineers are doing the final inspection. I've seen too many parts come from China that look like they meet the print but have had a material substituted. Sort of like melamine in infant formula.

The idea that the Chinese don't trust Japanese products - that's laughable. On the other hand I am sure that there are a lot of Chinese who are going to try to boycott Japanese goods. Just like I try to avoid Chinese products. Only my rationale is based on quality, not nationalism.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

In my view, these two countries [China and Korea] cannot survive as independent >>nations with the onslaught of Western civilization to the East...

This is I believe in reference to a time - you know when - when China with their number and splendor was being repeatedly crushed by the French, the Brits and a few other European nations (stop mentioning only the Japanese) and Japan in the meantime rose to the ranks of industrialized nations. Without the US giving China the status of 'most favored nation' and us buyibg all the low quality crap coming from there, China would still be where it was 50 years ago. Who do you think deserves sympathy for leading the way?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japanese immigation inspectors can give those pesky Chinese tourists a hard time when they arrive.......... wait, that would be like shooting your own foot !! Need the Chinese to spend $ here. Never mind.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

China’s limited progress on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law also pose difficulties in sharing common values. In realizing a peaceful rise of China, the country needs to clarify it intends to bridge the gap between concept and reality.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Japanese immigation inspectors can give those pesky Chinese tourists a hard time when they arrive

That's kind of hard to do when all the Chinese are just canceling their trips to Japan, instead going elsewhere. lol...

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

chucky3176Sep. 21, 2012 - 08:21PM JST

Say what you want, but what China is doing working magnificiantly. Japan is squirming in its chair like no other. Case in point, what Japan PM Noda has just said. He says just said the selling of the island has caused all this problem with China, and he wants resolve this issue with China, by sitting down and talking.

There you have it boys, a total capitulation from your PM.

But if I was China, I would squeeze the noose tighter, and get the island back once and for all, by forcing the Japanese tin pot navy to clear the area, just at a time Japan is squirming. Otherwise this trouble will continue in the future. The economic pressure alone should do the trick, since tiny Japan which is economically sinking, is no match for China.

Okay, this is one thing I disrespect in Chinese people. They are full of hate and aggressive. Sounds like you have never been abroad. You need to talk to American TSA personnels how Chinese are rude to them and they demand their own rules in USA. Chinese are worst world travelers in the world. per TSA list. No respect to others.

chucky3176Sep. 21, 2012 - 10:23PM JST

lol.. well we'll see what happens when Japan tries to send their envoy (that's what Noda has mentioned he will do) to China. I don't believe neither country owns those islands, but if I were China, this would be the moment to go for the jugular vein - get the islands, as well as get an official national legislated apology with stamp of approval from the Japanese parliament, for the war crimes it committed - otherwise no economic trade. Japan's economy, isolated from Asia, cannot survive without China. Japan seriously miscalculated China, as already admitted by Noda.

Aggression again, Chucky. Chinese love to hate. Chinese love to live in the past. As I said before, do you hear bitterness from Hiroshima and Nakasaki victims towards US? Japanese are progressive and they are moving FOWARD. Japanese learn mistakes from the past, and are committed to make sure these mistakes will never be repeated. As long as you carry a bag of Hate, China has no place to go and I have no hope for 130 million Chinese.

chucky3176Sep. 22, 2012 - 12:05AM JST

The government then tried to prevent this by nationalizing the islands in order to prevent provoking China.

That's just a false excuse. China had warned Japan countless time, not to even think about that. What did Japan do? Ignored the warnings. That tells all right there that Japan's goal was not to prevent provoking China, but to provoke it. You Japanophiles, why do you keep excusing Japan even when they're clearly in the wrong

Well, China did not go crazy over the Senkaku until recently. The island has been occupied by Japanese fishermen and farmers over centuries in the past. No Chinese living there.

China has been spending over 12.9% of GDP for military expansion in Asia that has been a threat to us all. Senkaku is a part of Japan. Please let me hear what you have to say on that. No dispute, PERIOD.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

China’s limited progress on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law also pose difficulties in sharing common values. In realizing a peaceful rise of China, the country needs to clarify it intends to bridge the gap between concept and reality.

Difficult to argue against that. Here's the commonality I'm seeing in all these news headline: Chinese riots - Middle East riots. Iran is a befitting ally for China. At some point they will reap what they sow.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

China probes Japanese, Indian pyridine imports

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-09/21/content_15774129.htm

BEIJING - China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Friday launched anti-dumping investigations over imported pyridine made in Japan and India.

Authorities will examine whether and to what extent such imports hurt the Chinese pyridine industry and make decisions according to law, according to statement posted on the MOC's website.

The probes are expected to end within a year and can be extended for another six months under special circumstances.

Pyridine is an organic compound used as an important raw material and solvent in the production of pesticides, drugs, animal feed, food additives and other chemicals.

BOGUS!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

China needs to keep in mind their grip on rare earth resources is solely based on first world countries not wanting to mine them. Both the US and Australia have huge deposits of these resources. If they push it they'll find Japan buying what they need from the Aussies while moving their factories from China other countries.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This suggestion was made earlier on this subject by saying Japan needs to tax Chinese imports. Unfortunately, it was deleted. Fair trade blackmail is not acceptable, and Japan needs to make that statement.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@black_jackSep. 21, 2012 - 11:26PM JST

Stop being naive! The owner wanted to sell these islands when the lease was about to terminate. However as the government did not show interest, Tokyo tried to buy these islands to build infrastructure. The government then tried to prevent this by nationalizing the islands in order to prevent provoking China. So at least the Japanese government tried to calm the situation by avoiding installing any kind of infrastructure in these islands. Just because the government is not trying to renounce these islands, this dose not mean that they are right-wingers!

I am not naive and well traveled. I have been in both China and Japan since 1968.Truth is that Islands chains are very far from Mainland Japan if we follow along the dotted line of map. US bought Alaska from USSR although it is far from US. Canada was happy about that although it was adjacent to Canada. Current purchase is not happy ending like Alaska. The world is not owned by China or US or Japan. No one can do what they like! They have to compromise something for win win situation.

Then US defeated Japan in WWII not alone. Allied force nations contributed. It is not related to UN security council therefore US alone has no veto power for who or who will get that territory? It may have to settle with ICJ. Otherwise US have to settle with China. China is beatable for US in term of conventional warfare. However if China nuke US east coast, it is not worth for US for paying heavy price.

In term of population, US has 300 millions. China has 1.3 billions. In term of finance, US has 14.5 trillions dollars debt to foreign nations. China has 1.3 trillion dollars for reserve. Mostly in US treasury bonds. How far US can afford to pay the price?

That Islands have been neglected from both sides for millions of years. It was inhabited Islands. Not like Fiji or Naru which have native people.

You forgot to mention Japan was struggling with mercy of disasters and nuclear radiation. How on earth the helpless nation become so aggressive within a year. Chunky is correct to say there were provocation. Bee will not sting unless you destroy their honey pot! It TAKES TWO TO DANCE TANGO!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

globalwatcher,

You didn't say, "Chinese products are all inferior, except for those that are made under specification of Japanese and US engineering."

You said, "Chinese products are all inferior." Period.

And you're wrong. Virtually all products coming out of China to Japanese and U.S. markets do so under strict manufacturing guidelines dictated by the contracting parent company that's commisioned their manufacture.

I'm sitting here right now looking at a package of frozen spinach from China bought right here in Japan at a reputable supermarket that has not only the expiration date displayed prominently on it, but also includes such information as precisely where the food was grown, where it was processed, where it was packaged, and what export agent was responsibile for its ultimately delivery to Japanese markets.

You're clinging to outdated stereotypes in order to futher your argument of dissatisfaction with the Chinese political state, and it's unbecoming. Stick to the real issues and stop making things up to add fuel to the fire.

Also, it bears mentioning that the population of China is in the realm of 1.3 billion, not 130 million, as you posted earlier.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

These stricter customs inspections targeting Japanese imports may be a form of punishment against their own Chinese people. I visited Hangzhou China a couple of years ago, and observed a fisherman and his wife fishing in a putrid garbage infested ravine besides a tourist area. I was amazed that fish lived in that water, and they had quite a few fish in their boat, so the fish were obviously for sale.

The thought that that fish was being served in restaurants sickened me, and thereafter refused to eat anything other than foreign-made prepacked food sold in famous foreign-run stores. Now, I would consider any foreign parent in China that permits their child to eat food locally sourced in China to be guilty of child endangerment.

Now, I fastidiously check to make sure no food item I purchase here has Chinese content. It is not a political statement, but for health.

Whenever I go to the post office here in Tokyo, there are Chinese students from a local university sending packages to China. About half the time I can hear the postal clerk helping them with the customs declaration documents, and noticed often the students are sending the same thing to China: baby food.

Of course, given the choice and the means, 100 percent of Chinese parents would give their young children Japanese-made baby food rather than Chinese-made (as would the rest of earth's population).

If the Chinese customs inspectors are prohibiting or delaying Japanese made food items, it's punishment against their own population.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

i think both in china and japan have the good person or bad person, both of them should think from the fair,and justice way we know why chinese hate japanese so much,because the passed war injure them too much,and september memorize them all , in the invasions of the japan army,many chinese person lost their relative lives,the japan army kill the chinese people through many cruel ways,such as bury the alive people with earth ,and firing the alive people,kill the baby and rape the preganant women and kill them, but the japan goverment till now regard these persons who killed many common people in china as heros and the japan goverment never admist it is not good,and also not tell japan people these bad histories also for the Senkaku islands, which Beijing calls Diaoyu,actually is that china lost the war and japan take it , and chinese person right now think most of the japanese is bad person,and it make them hatred of the japanese, it is not good and not right, also i think the japan people should learn more about the old history not through the goverment but also through many other ways,and then they would understand why these things happened

0 ( +1 / -1 )

China needs to understand that messing with little japan, 小日本??Maybe funny for China but if they mess to much with Japan, the USA is there to DEFEND Japan and 大美国 is not going to wait for China to attack and keep doing these stupid things against JAPAN. Sure, now China has a nice economy but this can not last for ever, and if you have too many people there in China and too many are not happy with Beijing?? Just happy I am not some poor slave in some factory making I Phones or Nike shoes.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The distance an island is from the mainland/country is irrelevant. Has anyone ever heard of Martinique? Martinique is closer to the USA than France, ergo, it belongs to the USA. Guam and Puerto Rico could easily become states, but the people are smart enough to say no because they would have to pay federal income tax if they were states. A land grab is exactly that and cannot be tolerated. But, where is Noda on the issue? He is too busy massaging the electorate?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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