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Friday April 15, 11:53
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Japan and China balance on brink of conflict
(by Helen Snow)
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Japan blamed China for causing a ``serious problem’’ for the country’s security after Chinese companies started drilling in a disputed area and one of its submarines entered Japanese waters last year.
``China’s repeated ocean explorations in Japan’s economic zones, its energy development in disputed waters, and an invasion of Japan’s territorial waters have caused serious problems for Japan’s security and sovereign rights,’’ the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its annual report released yesterday.
Relations between Asia’s two tigers become more tense in connection with both countries’ intention to drill in an disputable area of the East China Sea. China, which is already drilling in the region, reacted to Japan’s move granting licenses for drilling in the area calling it a ``serious provocation.’’
In addition to the dispute over drilling issues, about 20,000 people demonstrated last weekend in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen to show their protest against Japan’s releasing a misleading statement about its wartime barbarity in China published in new textbooks.
They also protested against Japan’s bid to become a regular member of the United Nations Security Council.
China warned its people against unauthorized demonstrations which can lead to serious diplomatic misunderstandings and conflicts. "Any assemblies, protests and demonstrations should be approved by the public security organ," the China News Service quoted a Beijing police spokesman as saying.
Unapproved and wrongdoing activities were "illegal" and would be punished, said Chinese officials.
In its turn, Japan promised to preserve disputes with China from interfering with their broader relationship.
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