BEIJING (AP) — A long-running week of economic and political tensions between neighbors China and Japan is coming to an end, with no signs of improvement Friday as China’s ambassador to Tokyo rebuffed the host country’s demands and Japan reported delays in shipments to Chinese suppliers as a result of the spat.
The two developments capped a week in which China made clear its displeasure with Japan by imposing new export controls, denouncing an alleged resurgence of militarism in Tokyo and making overtures to another regional neighbor, South Korea, during a visit by its leader to Beijing.
On Friday, the People’s Daily, the flagship newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, continued its attack.
The editorial stated that “new militarism will bring Japan back to the abyss.” “History is a harsh warning, but the Japanese right wing is repeating its old tricks.”
It was the latest in days of sharp criticism from China against Japan, after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November that she would not rule out intervening if China used force against the island of Taiwan. China considers self-ruled Taiwan its sovereign territory and has said it would use force to seize the island if necessary. Late last month, it held large-scale military exercises nearby.
China maintains export controls
Late Thursday, the Chinese Embassy in Japan said it had rejected Japan’s Foreign Ministry’s petition to lift new export controls on “dual-use items” that the Japanese military could use in weapons. Ambassador Wu Jianghao insisted that China’s actions were “completely legitimate, reasonable and legal” and were crucial to national security.
Also on Friday, Japanese officials said they were paying close attention to whether China handles Japanese exports of agricultural products, fisheries and other goods in a timely and appropriate manner. Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported that shipments of sake and processed food from Japan to China were hampered due to diplomatic tensions, widening the impact of the dispute.
Officials at the government-affiliated Japan External Trade Organization told The Associated Press that the shipment experienced delays at Chinese customs starting in late November. Kyodo news agency cited trade industry sources as saying they believed sake could be positioned as a “symbol of Japan.”
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said he was aware of reports that some Japanese exports to China had been put on hold. He would not comment on personal business dealings.
“It is very important for Japan’s agricultural, fishing and other exports to proceed smoothly,” Kihara said. “We will monitor developments closely and take appropriate measures.” He did not say what those might be.
Some subtleties in the jab
Japan and China have a troubled history, troubled by Japan’s colonial rule of Taiwan in 1895. The two countries fought two wars, and the Imperial Government in Tokyo brutally occupied parts of China in the first half of the 20th century. The two countries maintain diplomatic relations and cooperate closely on many fronts but occasionally use government agencies to denounce each other when disputes arise.
China’s choice of words in the People’s Daily editorial and other remarks are noteworthy. It avoids pointing the finger at the Japanese people, but specifically targets the Japanese right wing to which Gaoyi belongs. Reports on Japan’s nuclear ambitions on Thursday made repeated references to the right, with a People’s Daily editorial imploring “the peace-loving Japanese people” to be “highly vigilant” about their government.
“People’s Daily” stated that “Japan’s future does not lie in the dangerous illusions depicted by the right wing, but in a thorough reckoning with its history of aggression.”
Rare earths as pressure points
Government spokesman Kihara said the rare earth export controls China has implemented “have had a serious impact on the global supply chain.” “We believe international trade in rare earths should proceed smoothly,” Kihara said.
Industry and Trade Minister Yoshihide Akazawa did not confirm whether China’s ban on dual-use goods included new actions targeting rare earths. Asakawa said the impact on Japan’s industry has already been huge, as about 70% of rare earths used in a variety of products including electronic parts and automobiles are imported from China.
“Rare earths are extremely important minerals, and export controls have had a huge impact on our country,” Akazawa said. He did not comment on whether Japan would consider retaliating.
praise korea
China also made its positive feelings toward South Korea clear during President Lee Jae-myung’s visit to South Korea this week to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Lee Myung-bak heralded “a new chapter in the development of South Korea-China relations” after signing millions of new export contracts.
His visit comes amid widespread coverage of recent warnings from Chinese state media about the possible dangers of Chinese citizens traveling to Japan, saying the number of Chinese outbound tourists to South Korea during the New Year period has exceeded the number of tourists to Japan.
Relations between Beijing and Tokyo showed at least one small positive sign on Friday. At a Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefing in Beijing, spokesperson Mao Ning learned of the death of Japan’s former ambassador to China. She expressed the nation’s condolences.
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Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo.
