Japan Press Weekly

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2020 November 25 - December 1 TOP3 [POLITICS]

Shii criticizes China's foreign minister over Senkakus

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, at a joint press conference held on November 24 after meeting with his Japanese counterpart Motegi Toshimitsu, justified the act of Chinese government-owned vessels infringing upon Japan's sovereignty near the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa (called Diaoyu Islands in Chinese) as if Japanese fishing boats were responsible. The Japanese foreign minister, however, did not argue against or protest to Wang at all.

Wang said, "Some Japanese fishing boats which are unfamiliar with the truth are continuously entering sensitive waters near the Diaoyu Islands. China, therefore, unavoidably has to take necessary responses."

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo before the press corps on November 26 pointed out, "Chinese hegemonic acts are the biggest cause of the complicated situation and tensions around the Senkaku Islands. China is forcibly trying to alter the status quo of the territory effectively controlled by Japan."

Shii criticized Wang for shifting the responsibility for Chinese official ships' actions onto Japan. He also criticized Motegi for making no counterargument to Wang over the issue. Noting that Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide did not ask Wang to correct his remarks in talks with him held right after the Wang-Motegi meeting, Shii said that Japan is conducting a subservient form of diplomacy.

Shii added, "Japan should boldly say to China 'what is wrong is wrong' in order for both countries to make the East China Sea, including the Senkaku Islands, a sea of true peace, friendship, and cooperation. It is important for the international community to deal with and criticize Chinese acts openly based on international law. By doing this, peace and stability may be secured in the region and the rest of the world."

Past related articles:
> US and China playing power game despite coronavirus crisis [May 17, 2020]
> Shii protests China's chasing away Japanese fishing boat [May 10, 2020]