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And the winner in the China…Japan feud is 。。。
By Melissa Chan in Asia
on September 25th； 2010。
Photo from EPA
There were several moments when Japan had an opportunity to exit the
dispute without looking like the losers。 The first； on the day the
incident happened； September 7th； when they picked up the Chinese crew
after the confrontation in the East China Sea。 They could have doled out a
few words of admonishment； sent a curt message to Beijing； and then let
the Chinese fishing boat go。
In the following days； as the Japanese ambassador was angrily summoned to
the Chinese foreign ministry at all hours of the day； Japan had another
face…saving chance to free the captain。 On humanitarian grounds； perhaps
using the mon diplomatic excuse of the detainee in bad health。 But
Tokyo didn't。
When Japan finally blinked in the stand…off with China； it was badly…timed
… and looked plain ugly。
Badly timed； because it came after a 48…hour flurry of developments that
included the rumour China was holding off exports of rare earth minerals
to Japan （first reported in the New York Times； questioned later by
Reuters）。 And news that the Chinese had some Japanese detainees of their
own： four of them； held on charges of illegally filming military
facilities in Hebei Province； China。
It looked ugly； because of the blunt announcement prosecutor Toru Suzuki
made without even attempting a graceful exit。
〃We have decided that further investigation while keeping the captain in
custody would not be appropriate； considering the impact on the people of
our country as well as Japan…China relations in the future；〃 he said。
Japan basically told the world it was backing off from the fight with
China。 Even though days earlier； they had insisted the detained fishing
captain be put through the Japanese judicial system。 Suddenly； the
judicial system didn't matter。 He'd be freed。 And； even though days
earlier； Japan had strongly stated that the islands were theirs； and there
was nothing to discuss with China over the matter。
While both countries have known for some time that the balance of power in
Asia is changing （more to China； less to Japan）； neither country has quite
known where it stands until right now； right here： in September 2010。
Some might argue that Japan didn't quite back off； and the fact is it
still does hold de facto control of the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands； and that
it did hold the Chinese captain for almost two weeks while China looked on
helplessly。 But it is very difficult to look at the situation today and
think： 〃Wow； Japan really walked away the winner here。〃
So China's won this battle 。。。 right？ If by winning； we mean the hero's
wele given the boat's captain and the nationwide celebratory fervour；
yes； China got its way。 This has been great domestically； a boon for the
munist Party。
But you wonder what the rest of the countries in Asia are thinking。
Not only did China get its way； everyone else saw it； and saw how it was
done； too。 You can't imagine Vietnam； with its own territorial dispute
with China； feeling any safer。 Or the rest of ASEAN （Association of South
East Asian Nations）。 Or South Korea。 Or the people of Japan； as they watch
their leaders capitulate。
Suddenly； everyone desires a referee in all this。 Suddenly； everyone
wouldn't mind too much if the United States were around more often。 China
might have gotten its way this time； but perhaps at the cost of a more
vigilant America。
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纽约时报社论：China forced Japan to back down but still did itself no favor。
Editorial
China； Japan and the Sea
Published： September 24； 2010
China and Japan have wisely stepped back from a confrontation in the East
China Sea。 The incident showed the alarming potential for territorial
disputes to quickly escalate and why the players need to work a lot harder
to resolve peting claims。
We don’t know who was at fault when a Chinese fishing trawler collided two
weeks ago with two Japanese patrol boats in waters near islands that are
claimed by both sides （plus Taiwan） and controlled by Japan。
Japan returned the trawler to China and released the crew but detained the
captain and threatened to prosecute him for obstructing officials from
performing their duties after he rammed the patrol boats。 China then cut
diplomatic munications； detained four Japanese nationals and suspended
exports of rare earth minerals that Japan needs for hybrid cars； guided
missiles and wind turbines。 With tensions rising； Japan finally freed the
captain； and； on Saturday； he headed home。
The ownership of the islands — in waters rich with fish and oil and
natural gas deposits — has been disputed for decades。 China’s claims have
bee increasingly shrill in recent months； Beijing has even started
calling the South China Sea； where Vietnam and the two Koreas also have
claims； a “core national interest。” In the diplomatic world； those are
fighting words。
China forced Japan to back down but still did itself no favor。 Its
bullying behavior will only make its neighbors even more anxious about
Beijing’s intentions。 There are also questions about Tokyo’s motives。
Japanese coast guard officers often board Chinese fishing vessels found in
waters claimed by Tokyo to send a message and then send them on their way
without in