aimarraul
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Hope for resolution of East China Sea issue
* Source: Global Times
* [01:42 June 01 2010]
* Comments
In the last few years, visits between the leaders of China and Japan have typically been labeled by the media as indicating a thaw in bilateral ties between the two nations.
Such coverage is evidence of the high expectations - as well as the difficulties - of moving ties forward.
The East China Sea issue has become a source of conflict that has constantly produced tension between the governments and the public in both countries.
In Japan, the media has painted China's rightful pursuit of its maritime interests as demonstrating "aggression," while each new document released by Japan concerning maritime rights is perceived by the Chinese public as encroaching on China's interests.
During Premier Wen Jiabao's latest visit, the two governments agreed to reestablish a hotline between the premiers of the two countries and launch negotiations to seek a principled consensus on the East China Sea issue, a substantial step toward solving the problem.
Both China and Japan rely heavily on imported oil. With sovereignty disputes shelved, joint development of oil reserves in the East China Sea is the most feasible way to maximize the mutual benefit.
But a few Japanese groups insist on prolonging the conflict. By their logic, Japan, with a better international image and backed by a security alliance with the US, is better positioned in negotiations, particularly as there is strong public pres-sure on the issue within Japan.
Japan has been trying to impose its own will on problems ranging from the territo-rial dispute over Diaoyu Island to demarcation of the continental shelf and exploitation of energy resources in the East China Sea.
China is trying to avoid an escalated confrontation. The importance of maintaining good relations with neighboring countries has been stressed. Less trouble, not more, is what China desires, even as Japan tries to maintain the status quo in the face of China's growing strength.
This desire to maintain harmony should not be dismissed as indicating a Chinese disadvantage in negotiations on the East China Sea issue.
Already, the two countries have paid too high a price for the tussle, and both stand to see their mutual interests further eroded if the situation keeps going the same way.
Japanese politicians and media outlets should paint a true picture of what is going on, particularly as the public in Japan still deeply misunderstands and distrusts China.
The East China Sea dispute has been a hot button issue too long to expect it can be solved overnight.
Premier Wen's visit, however, created a badly needed foundation for cooperation.
Hopefully, a mutually beneficial solution can be built on that foundation.
* Source: Global Times
* [01:42 June 01 2010]
* Comments
In the last few years, visits between the leaders of China and Japan have typically been labeled by the media as indicating a thaw in bilateral ties between the two nations.
Such coverage is evidence of the high expectations - as well as the difficulties - of moving ties forward.
The East China Sea issue has become a source of conflict that has constantly produced tension between the governments and the public in both countries.
In Japan, the media has painted China's rightful pursuit of its maritime interests as demonstrating "aggression," while each new document released by Japan concerning maritime rights is perceived by the Chinese public as encroaching on China's interests.
During Premier Wen Jiabao's latest visit, the two governments agreed to reestablish a hotline between the premiers of the two countries and launch negotiations to seek a principled consensus on the East China Sea issue, a substantial step toward solving the problem.
Both China and Japan rely heavily on imported oil. With sovereignty disputes shelved, joint development of oil reserves in the East China Sea is the most feasible way to maximize the mutual benefit.
But a few Japanese groups insist on prolonging the conflict. By their logic, Japan, with a better international image and backed by a security alliance with the US, is better positioned in negotiations, particularly as there is strong public pres-sure on the issue within Japan.
Japan has been trying to impose its own will on problems ranging from the territo-rial dispute over Diaoyu Island to demarcation of the continental shelf and exploitation of energy resources in the East China Sea.
China is trying to avoid an escalated confrontation. The importance of maintaining good relations with neighboring countries has been stressed. Less trouble, not more, is what China desires, even as Japan tries to maintain the status quo in the face of China's growing strength.
This desire to maintain harmony should not be dismissed as indicating a Chinese disadvantage in negotiations on the East China Sea issue.
Already, the two countries have paid too high a price for the tussle, and both stand to see their mutual interests further eroded if the situation keeps going the same way.
Japanese politicians and media outlets should paint a true picture of what is going on, particularly as the public in Japan still deeply misunderstands and distrusts China.
The East China Sea dispute has been a hot button issue too long to expect it can be solved overnight.
Premier Wen's visit, however, created a badly needed foundation for cooperation.
Hopefully, a mutually beneficial solution can be built on that foundation.
