Some advice for Japan
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Since the Sept 7 incident, Chinese fishing boats have been fishing in the waters off the Diaoyu Islands to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty. Hence, China should no longer rely solely on diplomatic measures to declare its sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands. Instead, it should take real action, such as patrolling the waters off the Diaoyu Islands.
Japan is sure to continue its "management" measures, and possibly even further action. As a result, frictions are likely to increase, so it is necessary to establish a crisis prevention mechanism through Sino-Japanese negotiations.
When Tokyo proposed to regulate Sino-Japanese relations through strategic reciprocity, it tried to get huge benefits, especially in the East China Sea, from the framework. If China does not keep a clear head, it will be Japan alone, rather than both countries, that will reap the benefits.
It is of great importance for China to develop Sino-Japanese relations and create neighborly relations in East Asia. But China should ensure that any such move is based on the precondition of firmly safeguarding its core national and long-term interests.
At present and for some time to come, the most crucial thing is for China to handle the territorial disputes properly. Obviously these conflicts will center on issues related to the Diaoyu Islands and the East China Sea.
Resolving the Diaoyu Islands issue is the precondition for resolving the continental shelf issue and demarcation of the exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea. Therefore, the move to stabilize and develop Sino-Japanese relations should focus on how to resolve the Diaoyu Islands issue a soon as possible.
There are two ways of solving such problems: peaceful means and force. And there can be no doubt peaceful negotiations are the preferred way.
But for that, Japan first has to change its aggressive marine policy and admit that there are territorial disputes over the Diaoyu Islands. And if Japan assumes that it can continue to avoid the issue because of its illegal control of the islands, it only shows its lack of confidence on the issue.
The recent demonstrations staged by Chinese people in some cities reflect public opposition to Japan's wrongdoings in the aftermath of the collisions near the Diaoyu Islands as well as its illegal possession of the islands. So the measures the Chinese government needs to take will be based on the support of its people.
Since Chinese people pay great attention to Sino-Japanese relations and hope that they can proceed in the right direction, they are angered by Japan's rather irrational actions. What is important is not the demonstrations, or what kind of slogans the protestors used, but why they took to the streets in the first place.
Hopefully, the Japanese government will consider the overall interests of Sino-Japan relations, realize the importance of the prevailing situation and work with China to find a long-lasting solution to the Diaoyu Islands problems.
The author is former director of the Institute of Japanese Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
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