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Time for China to play leading role in islands dispute

By Chen Guangwen: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, September 11, 2012

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[By Zhai Haijun/China.org.cn]

China should be bolder in countering Japan's proposed unilateral scheme to "buy" and "nationalize" the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea.

According to Japanese media reports, Japan held a cabinet meeting Monday to discuss a deal to officially "nationalize" the Diaoyu Islands. The deal, with a price tag of more than 2 billion yen, is set to be signed on Today between the Japanese government and the so-called private owners. The report also stated that the Japanese government believes it can mitigate the Chinese backlash to the deal if it acts quickly to put the Diaoyu Islands under Japanese state ownership.

Japan's latest move to steal China's rightful territory has been repeatedly denounced by China's Foreign Ministry and drawn solemn protests from Beijing. "Any unilateral move of the Japanese side over the Diaoyu Islands is illegal and invalid," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, warning that Tokyo's actions, which aim to enhance its rival, yet illegal, claim over the islands by "nationalizing" them, will be "in vain". However there is no doubt that Japan's "purchase" plans are in the process of being enacted.

There is no question of China simply standing by and watching as Japan takes such a high-handed approach. The Japanese government explained its position last week in a half-truthful, half-deceitful letter from Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to Chinese President Hu Jintao. The letter stated that were Tokyo to purchase the islands, the consequences would be harmful to both China and Japan. Tokyo's Governor Shintaro Ishihara would develop the islands and build a port, and even send a police force to ensure "security" there. The letter went on to say that were they being bought by the Japanese government, there could be no landings on the islands and no surveys made, which would benefit Sino-Japanese relations. However, the words have a hollow ring and it is clear that the Japanese government has become more right wing in its inclinations and China should therefore be on its guard, both about Japan's words and deeds.

The truth regarding Japan's intended purchase of the Diaoyu Islands eventually came out, irrespective of how the parties involved were portrayed during the dispute. Tokyo has merely played a supporting role in the drama while the Japanese government took the lead. Yoshihiko Noda's cabinet was two-faced in its actions, appearing more passive and diplomatic on the international stage, as it appeared to want to douse the flames. However, for domestic consumption, they insisted on "nationalizing" the Diaoyu Islands. Now, as it appears the islands may actually be "nationalized", the Japanese government will be the biggest winner in the dispute.

In this long-lasting dispute between Japan and China, the two nations have been locked in intransigent positions and have been uncompromising as the rhetoric escalated, which made it seem that war would be the inevitable outcome. The truth is, though, that China was hoodwinked by Japan, as the Japanese side ensured that China's attention was focused solely on the Diaoyu Islands, which meant that China's gaze was diverted from other issues as it was forced to follow the pace set by Japan. The two sides quarreled for five months and Japan took the lead. Whenever Japan voiced its intention to take some form of action regarding the islands, China was forced to retaliate with strong words. However, despite China's constant reiteration that the Diaoyu Islands are part of its territory, the Japanese side began to act in an increasingly irrational manner, and some analysts urged China to act immediately in order to counter Japan's unilateral scheme to "buy" and "nationalize" the islands. So, what can China do, other than flex its muscles and underline its determination to contest Japan's irrational position over the , Diaoyu Islands issue.

Despite the picture which has been painted thus far, China is far from helpless in this dispute, and it has two strong cards up its sleeve which it can play. China can take action over the dispute regarding demarcation of the East China Sea and its gas and oil fields exploration, as well as the issue of the South Kuril Islands.

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