China holds live-fire military exercises
Anti-Japanese protests have spread to about 50 cities in China.
China Central Television (CCTV) reported on the evening of September 15 that the country's East China Sea fleet had just conducted a live-fire exercise in the East China Sea amid rising tensions over the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands dispute.
Lu Qiangqiang, captain of a warship, said the main force of the fleet (including dozens of warships, fighter jets, submarines and missile units) conducted 16 combat training contents, from missile interception to searching and attacking submarines. According to Lu, more than 40 missiles were launched in this exercise.
A Japanese car overturned in Xi'an city on September 15. Photo: AP
Before this exercise, China had conducted many live-fire exercises in different military regions to warn Japan after Tokyo signed a contract to buy part of the Senkaku Islands on September 11. Notably, there was a joint air force and navy exercise in the Yellow Sea and the Gobi Desert of the Nanjing Military Region, the unit responsible for "taking care" of the East China Sea.
On the same day, Japanese Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto met with senior officials of the ministry to discuss the incident of Chinese coast guard ships approaching the Senkaku Islands, which Tokyo controls. At the meeting, according to The Yomiuri Shimbun, defense officials affirmed that the Self-Defense Forces' warning and surveillance activities will continue in the area. In addition, Japanese authorities said the Coast Guard will be allowed to conduct investigations and make arrests on remote islands in 19 regions, including the Senkakus.
Meanwhile, large-scale anti-Japan protests continued to spread in China on September 16. Japanese media reported that protests took place in about 50 cities in China. NHK television reported that protesters looted stores, vandalized cars and Japanese-owned restaurants in at least five Chinese cities. In addition, protesters broke into more than 10 Japanese-owned factories in the city of Qingdao. In Shenzhen, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse thousands of protesters occupying a street.
Concerned about the above developments, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on September 16 urged China to protect Japanese citizens, businesses and diplomatic buildings. Earlier, Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba instructed diplomatic officials to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of his country's citizens.
New Japanese ambassador to China passes away Shinichi Nishimiya, who was appointed Japan’s ambassador to China on September 11, died at a Tokyo hospital on September 16 after suffering a stroke three days earlier. A diplomatic official said Nishimiya’s death had nothing to do with the accident or the current anti-Japan protests. |
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