Beijing: No concession on territorial sovereignty

MANILA, Philippines - As China goes through a major leadership transition, Beijing declared on Friday there is no concession on territorial sovereignty and it will have no alternative but to respond forcefully to any challenge to the country’s bottom line on sovereignty.

A report on the Chinese government’s Web portal yesterday quoted Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun as saying in an interview on Friday that China pursues a policy of friendship and partnership with its neighboring countries and stays committed to the path of peaceful development but will take forceful measures in response to any moves that challenge the country’s bottom line on sovereignty.

“We want to live in friendship with all countries including Japan, but we have to uphold our principles and bottom line,” Zhang said.

“However, should anyone want to challenge China’s bottom line on the issue of sovereignty, China will have no alternative but to respond forcefully so as to remove disturbance and obstacles and move steadily on the path of peaceful development,” he said.

Zhang made reference to the Japanese government’s “purchase” of the Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands, which was announced on Sept. 10.

He said the purchase constituted a grave violation of China’s territorial sovereignty and caused “the most severe repercussions” on China-Japan relations since the two countries normalized diplomatic relations in 1972.

China is also involved in territorial disputes with the Philippines and Vietnam and the increasing Chinese pressure on its neighbors as well as the growing regional Chinese military capabilities is worrisome.

“The Chinese government has taken a series of forceful measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty. No external threat or pressure could weaken, not even in the slightest way, the resolve of the Chinese government and people to uphold China’s territorial sovereignty,” Zhang added.

Citing Japan’s role in World War II, Zhang said that if Japan cannot face up to its wartime history, it cannot examine its conscience and sincerely correct its mistakes, no matter how developed its economy is, it will never stand up morally or psychologically.

China and Japan have maintained contact and consultations on the issue of Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands through various channels and in different forms.

The two sides started vice foreign ministerial-level consultations on the disputed islands in Beijing on Sept. 25.

In the contact and consultations at all levels, Zhang said China has stated its government’s solemn position on the issue and strong determination to safeguard territorial integrity.

He demanded Japan to take seriously China’s solemn position and major concerns, and stop all actions that undermine China’s territorial sovereignty.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry said China “tolerated” anti-Japan demonstrations by turning a blind eye on violent acts in various parts of China following Japan’s announcement of its purchase of the islands.

Japan said Chinese authorities did not stop anti-Japanese demonstrations even as Beijing stressed that China protects, in accordance with law, the safety of foreign institutions and nationals in that country and would deal with relevant issues in light of the realities.

The Japanese government protested to China through its embassy in Beijing what Japan viewed as inaction by Chinese authorities on the violent demonstrations. The protest was also conveyed to the Chinese ambassador in Tokyo.

Tokyo said Japan and the Japanese people maintain a peaceful attitude despite Chinese authorities turning a blind eye on the violent protests over a bitter territorial row that already inflicted losses on Japanese companies in China.

Reports said the Chinese government had a hand in anti-Japan protests that went out of control and fanned the flames as part of its dispute with Japan over an island chain both countries claim.

Protests flared in cities across China, including the torching and looting of Japanese-invested factories and shops.

China assured the safety of Japanese citizens is “protected” despite recent violent anti-Japan demonstrations, saying Japan’s purchase of the islands provoked the dispute between the two countries.

But the Japanese Foreign Ministry said Japan found it highly regrettable that the Chinese government has overreacted and tolerated anti-Japanese protests that exacerbated the situation since Sept. 10.

The Japanese Government said it is deeply concerned about the wide range of violent acts that have taken place in China.

In contrast to peaceful demonstrations, Japan said those acts resulted in arson, looting and other damage to the Japanese diplomatic establishments, Japanese restaurants, buildings with Japanese tenants, and the Japanese-owned factories, department stores and supermarkets.

Some Japanese residents suffered assault as well as harassment.