Posted on 04/15/2005 12:22:11 AM PDT by Gengis Khan
By John Ruwitch and George Nishiyama BEIJING/TOKYO (Reuters) - The United States warned its citizens in China Friday of possible new anti-Japan demonstrations, saying they could turn against foreigners in general, as Beijing stressed that illegal protests would be punished.
China is braced for a second wave of protests, triggered by what many see as Japan's failure to own up to World War II atrocities, as foreign ministers from the Asian giants prepared for a weekend meeting aimed at easing tension.
Thousands demonstrated in four Chinese cities last weekend at a time Japan is also seeking a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, a move firmly opposed by China.
The protests appeared to have tacit state approval, with the government appealing for demonstrators to avoid "extreme activities," and Friday Beijing police warned against "unapproved or harmful" activities.
For its part, Japan pledged not to let a series of disputes with China hinder their relationship and said Tokyo would seek to deepen mutual understanding and trust through dialogue.
The U.S. Embassy called on its citizens to be on guard, saying there were unconfirmed calls to stage protests this weekend in Beijing, nearby Tianjin, Shanghai, northeastern Shenyang, southern Guangzhou and Dongguan and southwestern Chengdu.
Shanghai is the financial hub of China and headquarters of many Japanese businesses.
"Because of the fluid nature of such events, American citizens traveling in China should be alert for demonstrations and or marches occurring at other times and locations without prior warning," a U.S. embassy e-mail said.
"The demonstrations are purportedly against Japanese interests, but could involve foreigners in general."
"TRUST THE PARTY"
The semi-official China News Service quoted a spokesman for the Beijing Public Security Bureau as saying any protest had to have prior approval and harmful activities would be punished.
"And we hope people and young students can trust that the party and the government can properly deal with Sino-Japan relations ... and do not do anything that will affect social stability and hurt the capital's image." The Japanese embassy and ambassador's residence were pelted with stones and eggs last weekend, and some Japanese businesses were targeted in the marches that were unusually large in a country whose communist leadership is wary of popular protest.
Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura was to meet his counterpart, Li Zhaoxing, in Beijing Sunday to try to stop squabbles over everything from gas exploration in disputed waters to Tokyo's treatment of its own history from escalating or hurting $178 billion worth of trade.
"We must deepen mutual understanding and trust through dialogue and not allow individual issues to become an obstacle to the development of the overall Japan-China relationship," the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in an annual diplomatic report.
"We will seek to expand mutual benefits through strengthening cooperation in a wide range of areas."
Chinese activists have called for more protests in Beijing and Shanghai this weekend by sending SMS and posting messages on on-line bulletin boards.
Machimura warned the protests could start to affect tourism.
"You cannot stop tourists from avoiding (China) and deciding to go to another place after watching TV news," Kyodo news agency quoted him as saying.
© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.
How many dogs did Pavlov have again? Over a billion of them?
Hmmm... Lets start "Texting" over the following: Do your text books gloss over Mao?
Some of the dogs are really testy. Not just against Japan, but against their master. The master let them maul Japan. However, once tasting the excitement of actions, they may go for more, this time may turn on their master. It may or may not happen. However, it is a distinct possibility.
When I see young Chinese hippies going to Lhasa to protest Chinese treatment of Tibetans, then I'll start to take the Chinese seriously when they complain about attrocities commited by the Japanese six decades ago.
Until then it's just pinhead nationalism as far as I'm concerned.
The Boxer Rebellion 2?
Either that or Kristallnacht II.
Testier than 1989? IMHO, they would have to be far testier than then to pull off anything meaningful.
Good analogy. State sponsored riots.
Thousands of Chinese people suddenly start taking to the streets over Japanese aggression which occurred more thab 60 years ago? Yeah, right. This issue is not even on the radar screen for most Chinese. There is nothing spontaneous about this.
This is the Chinese government up to its usual tricks. It would not surprise me in the slightest if the "demonstartions" suddenly widened to include the issue of Taiwan.
The Chinese are getting ready to rumble.
Yeah, There are people who are testier than those in 1989. So far they managed scattered localizes riots. They lacked organization. With some organization, things can change.
A-ha! So the previous demonstrations were government-approved! (d'uh)
Japan * ping * (kono risuto ni hairitai ka detai wo shirasete kudasai : let me know if you want on or off this list)
ping
Just what I wanted to hear.
Great. I'm taking my first-ever overseas trip to Beijing next month. My best friend keeps insisting that, knowing my luck, China will re-annex Taiwan the day after I arrive. Just greeeeeat.
...and the olympics are going to china.
When the riots break out, could you grab me some crab rangoon :-)
Seriesly, stay safe.
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