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Obuchi's trip to Beijing clouded by new Sino-Japan tensions
June 30, 1999
By Edward Neilan
Special to World Tribune.com
TOKYO--Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's upcoming trip to
Beijing July 8 could be held in an even more stiff and tense than Chinese
President Jiang Zemin's
visit to Tokyo last November, analysts say.
Tete-a-tetes between leaders of East Asia's two strongest powers have
evolved in recent years from grand oriental tea parties stressing
protocol, details of massive Japanese loans, Chinese mild requests for
apologies of World War II grievances to tabling of tough protests by China
over Tokyo's new defense guidelines and infatuation with the Theater
Missile Defense (TMD) concept.
Both are seen as evidence of Japan's closer military ties with the
U.S. and possible barriers to China's aim to regain Taiwan.
Only the birth two months ago in Tokyo amid much media fanfare of a rare
Chinese crested ibis, whose parents were donated by a Chinese zoo, seemed
to restore a degree of warmth to ties between the two nations with so much
cultural affinity.
A new set of Chinese naval provocations is causing tensions on the
eve of the Obuchi visit, although the Japanese foreign ministry is doing
its best to downplay the significance for now.
Since April, Chinese marine research vessels and navy warships have
become more actively operating in Japanese waters and the exclusive
economic zone (EEZ) set by Japan. This is a lie equidistant from China,
Japan and South Korea and generally acknowledged by all parties.
The number of confirmed sightings by Japan has already topped the record
set three years ago.
The pattern of intrusions by Chinese vessels was first reported by Keiko
Iizuka, a Yomiuri Shimbun
staffer based in Naha, Okinawa.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry said under its laws, Japan could take
action against the intruders.
But a Maritime Self-Defense Agency source said "In actuality we cannot
do so under the current circumstances."
That is wishy-washy doublespeak for the fact that under Japan's no-war
constitution, a complicated set of circumstances must be in place before
any action may be taken.
"Because of politics, a warning shot has never been fired by a Japanese
vessel," said a Western naval attache. "Consider the difference when North
and South Korean navies square off, as they did recently. "
Aside from showing its political and military muscle, China has strong
interest in the area's resources, said Shigeo Hiramatsu, professor at
Kyorin University:
"In the wake of its rapid growth, China is in great need for oil and
marine resources. At present, China has a strong interest in waters around
the equidistant line of Japan, anticipating huge deposits of oil there."
He said "When it comes to the recent movements of the Chinese Navy
warships, China wants to secure a navigation course enabling it to sail
from the East China Sea into the Pacific, as seen in that it has
demonstrated the presence of its naval strength since the days of Deng
Xiaoping. The passage lying in between the main Okinawa Island and Miyako
Island is in this sense deemed as an important one."
Noting that Chinese vessels have been spotted in these waters for the
past decade or so, Hiramatsu said the Japanese Government "has been
irresolute--done nothing-- in taking proper action against them."
As a result, China has been gradually broadening the scope of its
activities. While seeing how Japan reacts, China has escalated its
activities to the point of carrying out military exercises by its warships,
the professor said.
Edward Neilan (eneilan@crisscross.com) is a veteran journalist, based in Tokyo, who covers East Asia and writes weekly for World Tribune.com.
June 30, 1999
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