FM: 'China attack' hypes in Japanese media baseless
(China Daily/chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2004-11-10 09:51

China on Tuesday expressed its grave concerns over Japanese media reports fabricating the "China threat" and on the three hypotheses under which China could attack Japan.

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said Japanese media reports on three "China attack" hypotheses are baseless and beyong understanding at a press briefing in Beijing November 9, 2004. [fmprc.gov.cn]

"We oppose to anyone fabricating or instigating the so-called 'China threat.' The parties concerned should give up their Cold War mentality and work to promote peace and development in Asia, and the world as whole," she said.

Japan's sabre rattling affronts China's integrity

Japan's Kyodo news agency reportedly revealed on Sunday the country's Defence Agency will revise its security strategy based upon three hypotheses under which China could attack Japan.

If war broke out across the Taiwan Straits, the mainland might attack Japan to thwart US forces positioned in Japan to aid Taiwan, the agency allegedly said.

Their main concern argued that with the territorial disputes between China and Japan increasingly sharpening, China might obtain the Diaoyu Islands by force. They also believe China might take every possible means to defend its interests in the East China Sea.

Such logic full of imaginations is clearly provocative and reveals Tokyo's Cold War mentality.

In essence, it is an attempt by Japan to intervene in the settlement of the Taiwan question and domestically legalize their claim of sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands and territory in the East China Sea.

It is nothing less than an affront to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Taiwan's independence trumpeter enjoys a high degree of popularity among a number of Japanese rightist forces.

The island's separatists have made unremitting efforts to establish ties with Japan's new-generation of politicians, especially those in congress.

Compared with their forerunners, they attach more importance to keeping a balance across the Straits. It is their viewpoint that a US-Japan defence should include Taiwan in its scope.

They even propose Japan should upgrade its substantial ties with the island whatever attitude the Chinese mainland holds.

Japan's attempt to intervene in the Taiwan Straits not only poses uncertainties in Sino-Japanese relations but risks torpedoing peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

As for Japan's ownership claim on the Diaoyu Islands and the wrangling between the two over energy and territory in the East China Sea, there is overwhelming evidence to indicate the Diaoyu Islands have been part of Chinese territory since ancient times. And China's oil and gas explorations in the East China Sea are being carried out in China's indisputable coastal waters. They are within the scope of China's sovereignty.

Japan has from time to time made irresponsible statements and taken irresponsible actions. These seriously damage Sino-Japanese relations and go far to assume China as a foe rather than regional, responsible friend.

As Japan's relationship with China is already undermined by frequent visits by high-profile officials to the Yasukuni Shrine, Tokyo is hardly undertaking fence-mending efforts. Instead, it seems bent on pursuing measures in the opposite direction.

Iraq and Arafat

The escalating violence in Iraq, Yasser Arafat's deteriorating health and the situation in the Korean Peninsula were all part of yesterday's Foreign Ministry news briefing.

A ministry spokesperson said China is "highly concerned" over the turbulent situation in Iraq as well as the growing number of casualties among Iraqi citizens following a US attack on the stronghold of Falluja.

"The current continued upheavals and the casualties in Iraq are a cause for much concern," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue yesterday. "We hope that the situation there will return to tranquility as soon as possible."

US forces conducted house-to-house searches in Falluja yesterday in the second day of the assault aimed at retaking control of the Sunni Muslim city before planned elections in January.

"We hope that the general election in Iraq will be held as scheduled and that the reconstruction work can progress as smoothly and as soon as possible so that the Iraqi people can lead a stable and peaceful life."

China's UN Ambassador Wang Guangya will attend an international conference, to be held in Egypt on November 22-23, to promote stability in Iraq.

"He will make concerted efforts with other parties on this question in order to expand consensus on the Iraqi question to contribute to the stability of Iraq," she said.

Arafat's health

Meanwhile, government leaders are carefully following the health condition of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

"Arafat is an old friend of the Chinese people. The Chinese Government and leaders have extended regards to him," she said.

Arafat, 75, became severely ill 10 days ago at his West Bank residence in Ramallah. He was airlifted to Paris for treatment on October 29.

DPRK's visit

China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Vice-Foreign Minister Wu Dawei will meet with Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Yong-Il of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to discuss co-operation between the two neighbours and the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

"China is now keeping in very close contact, co-ordinating and co-operating with all the six parties involved" in the six-party talks on the nuclear issue in the peninsula, said Zhang.

"We hope that all parties can show further flexibility and sincerity and that the next round of six-party talks can be held on schedule."