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Japan stokes tensions with China over plan to buy disputed islands Japan stokes tensions with China over plan to buy disputed islands
(7 days later)
Japan has set itself on a possible diplomatic collision course with China after agreeing to buy three islands in the East China Sea that are at the centre of a long-running territorial dispute with Beijing.Japan has set itself on a possible diplomatic collision course with China after agreeing to buy three islands in the East China Sea that are at the centre of a long-running territorial dispute with Beijing.
Japan's media reported that the government would purchase three islands belonging to the Senkaku chain – known as Diaoyu in China – from private Japanese owners for 2.05bn yen (US$26m).Japan's media reported that the government would purchase three islands belonging to the Senkaku chain – known as Diaoyu in China – from private Japanese owners for 2.05bn yen (US$26m).
The reports drew an angry response in China, which called the move illegal and invalid.The reports drew an angry response in China, which called the move illegal and invalid.
"For them to nationalise the Diaoyu islands seriously violates China's sovereignty and hurts the Chinese people's feelings," Hong Lei, a foreign ministry spokesman, told reporters in Beijing."For them to nationalise the Diaoyu islands seriously violates China's sovereignty and hurts the Chinese people's feelings," Hong Lei, a foreign ministry spokesman, told reporters in Beijing.
"I stress again that any of their unilateral acts with the Diaoyu islands are illegal and invalid. China's determination will not change in terms of safeguarding its territory. China is observing the situation and will take necessary measures to defend its sovereignty.""I stress again that any of their unilateral acts with the Diaoyu islands are illegal and invalid. China's determination will not change in terms of safeguarding its territory. China is observing the situation and will take necessary measures to defend its sovereignty."
The uninhabited islands, which have been administered by Japan since 1895, attracted Chinese interest in the 1970s after studies suggested they could sit amid potentially huge deposits of oil and natural gas. They are also near vital sea lanes and surrounded by rich fishing grounds.The uninhabited islands, which have been administered by Japan since 1895, attracted Chinese interest in the 1970s after studies suggested they could sit amid potentially huge deposits of oil and natural gas. They are also near vital sea lanes and surrounded by rich fishing grounds.
The Senkakus are also claimed by Taiwan, but it is the competing assertions of sovereignty by Japan and China that have come to the fore in a summer of territorial tensions in east Asia.The Senkakus are also claimed by Taiwan, but it is the competing assertions of sovereignty by Japan and China that have come to the fore in a summer of territorial tensions in east Asia.
China has angered its neighbours, including Taiwan and the Philippines, with aggressive claims to islands in the South China Sea. Japan, meanwhile, has been locked in a separate disagreement with South Korea over a pair of islands located in the Japan Sea, known as the East Sea among Koreans.China has angered its neighbours, including Taiwan and the Philippines, with aggressive claims to islands in the South China Sea. Japan, meanwhile, has been locked in a separate disagreement with South Korea over a pair of islands located in the Japan Sea, known as the East Sea among Koreans.
The Japanese prime minister, Yoshihiko Noda, raised the possibility of bringing the Senkakus under state control after Tokyo's nationalist governor, Shintaro Ishihara, launched a controversial campaign in April to buy them.The Japanese prime minister, Yoshihiko Noda, raised the possibility of bringing the Senkakus under state control after Tokyo's nationalist governor, Shintaro Ishihara, launched a controversial campaign in April to buy them.
Reports said the government and the owners are expected to sign a contract by the end of the month, following secret negotiations between a senior member of the family and the deputy chief cabinet secretary, Hiroyuki Nagahama.Reports said the government and the owners are expected to sign a contract by the end of the month, following secret negotiations between a senior member of the family and the deputy chief cabinet secretary, Hiroyuki Nagahama.
The government had previously leased three of the five islands comprising the chain.The government had previously leased three of the five islands comprising the chain.
"We are negotiating with the owner while we try to grasp where the situation stands between [the central government] and the Tokyo metropolitan government," said Japan's chief government spokesman, Osamu Fujimura. An announcement would be made "when we reach a result after completing the process", he said."We are negotiating with the owner while we try to grasp where the situation stands between [the central government] and the Tokyo metropolitan government," said Japan's chief government spokesman, Osamu Fujimura. An announcement would be made "when we reach a result after completing the process", he said.
The dispute made international headlines in September 2010 when a Chinese fishing vessel collided with two Japanese coastguard vessels near the islands. In an attempt to prevent the row from escalating, Japan released the captain of the fishing boat without charge.The dispute made international headlines in September 2010 when a Chinese fishing vessel collided with two Japanese coastguard vessels near the islands. In an attempt to prevent the row from escalating, Japan released the captain of the fishing boat without charge.
Ishihara's bid to bring the islands under the control of the Tokyo metropolitan government attracted more than 1.4bn yen in donations from the public, and threatened to inflict serious damage to Sino-Japanese ties.Ishihara's bid to bring the islands under the control of the Tokyo metropolitan government attracted more than 1.4bn yen in donations from the public, and threatened to inflict serious damage to Sino-Japanese ties.
Despite the nationalisation plan, Noda appears determined to lower tensions by agreeing not to build a jetty or other facilities on the island.Despite the nationalisation plan, Noda appears determined to lower tensions by agreeing not to build a jetty or other facilities on the island.
Ishihara, by contrast, had hinted he would approve construction of a weather observatory and dock, adding that the Senkakus needed protecting from Chinese aggression.Ishihara, by contrast, had hinted he would approve construction of a weather observatory and dock, adding that the Senkakus needed protecting from Chinese aggression.
Ishihara, who has earned a reputation as a China-baiter, said the Senkakus' owners had told him no deal had been finalised, while Tokyo officials said the governor was expected to visit the islands in the coming weeks.Ishihara, who has earned a reputation as a China-baiter, said the Senkakus' owners had told him no deal had been finalised, while Tokyo officials said the governor was expected to visit the islands in the coming weeks.
The most recent tussle ignited nationalist sentiment in both countries. Japan detained a group of Hong Kong-based activists after they landed on one of the islands last month, and there were protests in several Chinese cities after a group of Japanese nationalists did the same several days later.The most recent tussle ignited nationalist sentiment in both countries. Japan detained a group of Hong Kong-based activists after they landed on one of the islands last month, and there were protests in several Chinese cities after a group of Japanese nationalists did the same several days later.
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