Despite rising tension, China, Japan seeking dialogue

China and Japan are seeking negotiations and dialogue in the wake of escalating military tension over the disputed Senkaku Islands, which are called Diaoyu in China.

Japan’s Fuji TV quoted a Japanese government source Thursday as saying two Chinese naval vessels appeared in waters 150 kilometers northwest of the islands, the first time for Chinese naval ships to approach Senkaku. On Wednesday, China sent ocean surveillance ships and 16 patrol boats to the islands and plan to deploy its vessels permanently.

Japan also deployed 50 patrol ships to the islands, including a 1,000-ton vessel with 40-millimeter heavy machine guns, while moving Self-Defense Force ships there. Twenty-three Chinese fishing boats are operating within a 111-kilometer radius of the islands, and some 700 boats within a 235-kilometer radius.

The fear is that accidental clash could occur in the process of Japan cracking down on Chinese fishing boats operating in the area.

The leading Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun reported Thursday that five of seven military regions in China entered combat readiness posture of Level 3, which bans soldiers from going on vacation or leaving their bases and subjects them to equipment inspection. Level 1 is issued just before going to war.

Tokyo also plans to demand that Beijing compensate losses suffered by Japanese businesses in China due to anti-Japanese sentiment there. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda told a TV program that he was considering sending a special envoy to China to explain why his government nationalized the islands.

A spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday that Beijing would convey its “stern position” on the dispute while maintaining communication with Tokyo.

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