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HK Mingpao: New Poll Showed Impression of Beijing Getting Worse

Mingpao, one of the primary Hong Kong newspapers, recently reported on a poll of Hong Kong residents. The Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, a widely trusted polling organization, administered the poll. It tracked the Hong Kong residents’ level of confidence in the “one nation, two systems” policy and was taken not long after the Hong Kong Legislative Council vetoed the proposed political reform plan that Beijing supported. According to the poll, around 52.4 percent of the people had weakened confidence in Hong Kong’s “high degree of autonomy.” A record high of around 36.2 percent of the HK residents surveyed said they had a bad impression of the central government – the same number was 4.3 percent in 2007. At the same time, only 20.9 percent of the population had a good impression (the same number in 2007 was 58.2 percent). 
Source: Mingpao, June 29, 2015
http://bit.ly/1RYTHos
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People’s Daily: Be Vigilant to the Ulterior Motives behind Abe’s Statement of “Never Fight Again”

People Daily published an article commenting on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s statement of “never fight again” that he made when he was meeting with Chinese media for an interview. 

The article said, “As soon as he returned from the G7 summit held in the German town of El Mao, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the meeting of [Japan’s] Congress to discuss the bills related to lifting the ban on the right to collective self-defense. Although he is very busy, he did not forget to arrange an interview with a Chinese media reporter.” 
While answering the reporter’s questions, Abe said that Japan has deep remorse over the war and will never repeat the same mistakes. He stressed that he is willing to continue the efforts toward the development of Japan-China relations. 

The article showed little trust in Abe’s statement. It said, “From the content of the answer, Abe is without doubt ‘releasing a friendly and goodwill signal.’ However, there were also critical comments that ‘the time and object of the interview was carefully arranged.’ According to a poll the media conducted on the matter, most Chinese people do not believe Abe’s position or his attitude.” 

“It is not strange at all. Just a few days ago, Abe was stirring up trouble at the G7 summit, acting as Uncle Sam’s pawn, and attempting to instigate problems on the South China Sea issue. After returning home he immediately hugged Philippine President Aquino and vowed to participate in joint containment of China.” 

 The article furthered stated, “The world knows what is in his bones. How can he get away with a mere [statement of] ‘deep remorse’ and remove people’s doubts? 

“In order finally to be able to amend the "Peace Constitution," Abe is fully implementing supporting laws and regulations for lifting the ban on collective self-defense. In his talks, he has always taken China as a target. His ‘true intention’ is known to all.” 

Source: People’s Daily, June 15, 2015 
http://world.people.com.cn/n/2015/0617/c1002-27170993.html

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U.S. Invites Japan to Patrol the South China Sea, Fulfilling Japan’s Wishes

People’s Daily published an article reporting on Chinese military experts’ comments about U.S. Pacific commander Harris’s statement which he made while meeting Japanese media in Tokyo. Harris stated that he welcomed and was anticipating the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force that would participate in patrolling the South China Sea. He pointed out that the "South China Sea is the high seas and not a territorial sea. He therefore welcomed Japan’s participation in this action." 

Regarding the military expert’s comments, in an interview with CCTV, Major General Yin Zhuo pointed out that Harris’s statement demonstrates a lack of knowledge of history and of international law. The South China Sea is not the United States’ territorial waters and not a place where the United States can play anyway it wants. The U.S. takes the South China Sea to be a battlefield to contain China, especially the military containment of China. The U.S. encouraged Japan and Australia to have a joint cruise in the South China Sea. Its intention was simply to stir up the South China Sea issue and use the opportunity to gather these countries under its banner so as to contain China using military means. 
Gao Zhugui, deputy director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies of the Central Party School pointed out that, a few days ago, U.S. Secretary of Defense Carter said that the South China Sea issue is not an issue between the United States and China. The United States does not hold any position in the South China Sea dispute over sovereignty. "Harris’s remarks just made the South China Sea issue into a problem between China and U.S. He is taking a big risk with Sino-U.S. relations." 
Yin Zhuo said, “Harris’s statement is explicit in fulfilling the wishes of the Abe administration. Japan would like to go out to the Sea using the U.S. boat and the South Sea. Harris just paved the road and loaned Abe a boat."   
Yin also noted that Harris’s invitation to Japan to patrol the South China Sea precisely reflects the United States’ mindset of anxiety. The United States wants to contain China in the Asia-Pacific region but is experiencing a lack of force. The United States needs help. Japan is a staunch political, diplomatic, and military ally of the United States. The United States can only count on Japan and therefore invites the Japanese to patrol the South China Sea as a pioneer. 
Gao Zhugui said that the U.S. is attempting to turn Japan into its platform in the Asia Pacific region, sharing responsibilities with the United States. The United States, Japan, Australia, and other countries have gathered together on this platform to form a U.S.-led multilateral networking mechanism. This mechanism can be used not only in the South China Sea, but also in other regional issues. In the future, Japan will follow the United States to play a greater role in the Asia-Pacific as well as the wider regions. 
Source: People’s Daily, June 17, 2015 
http://military.people.com.cn/n/2015/0617/c1011-27166915.html
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Japan’s Four Hidden Plots against China in the South China Sea

Xinhua published a series of articles, including an editor’s introduction, on its “International Channel” commenting on Japan’s involvement in the South China Sea issue. 

Editor’s introduction: “In recent years, as the U.S. has been adjusting its Asia-Pacific strategy and openly intervening on the South China Sea issue, the Japanese government has also been stepping up its intervention. Recently, in addition to the U.S. military fulfilling its requirement to start military patrols in the South China Sea and performing military exercises with and providing equipment to the Philippines, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has also repeatedly accused and discredited China. He has done so at the G7 summit and on many other occasions."  
“Although the South China Sea dispute has nothing to do with Japan, the Japanese side is actively getting involved and continuously increasing its intervention efforts. Just what is Japan plotting as it hides behind the scenes?” The series then listed the following four agendas that indicate what Japan is "plotting" against China: 
Plot I: to divert public attention in the international media from Japan’s history problem [in World War II]; 
Plot II: to stir up the "China threat theory" in order to create a favorable atmosphere for [Abe’s] security bill; 
Plot III: to use the tactic of “relieving a besieged ally by attacking the home base of the besiegers,” thus trapping China on the South China Sea issue; 
Plot IV: to curb the rise of China by creating an Asian version of NATO. 

Source: Xinhua: June 17, 2015 
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2015-06/17/c_127922033.htm

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Xinhua: China Sternly Refuted the Philippines on the South China Sea Issue

Xinhua recently reported that, at the 25th Conference of the Member Countries of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, held in New York on June 12, the representative from the Philippines delivered harsh criticism against China. The Head of the Chinese Delegation, Wang Min, “sternly refuted” the Philippines’ accusations. Wang stated that China’s land reclamation activities in the South China Sea are exercised solely under China’s sovereignty and that the purpose was to improve the living conditions of China’s citizens as well as to provide better maritime search and rescue missions. China considers these to be its international responsibilities. The construction work will also improve the freedom of navigation for all countries. China was also against any “single-sided” maritime arbitration – Wang called for peaceful nation-to-nation negotiations based on international laws to resolve all South China Sea related issues. 
Source: Xinhua, June 13, 2015
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2015-06/13/c_1115605446.htm
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Xinhua: How Can the Half Torn G7 Intervene in the South China Sea Issue?

Xinhua’s web magazine, International Sphere (Volume 551) published a group of articles commenting on the G7 summit’s joint statement about China’s actions in South China Sea. The editor added the following comment in the introduction, “Because of [Japanese Prime Minister] Abe’s plot behind the scenes, the just-concluded summit of the G7 issued a joint statement, irresponsibly commenting on the South China Sea issue. Japan coerced the G7 summit into placing the South China Sea issue on its agenda. Its attempt to instigate the Western countries to choose sides is all too clear. In the end, though, the statement did not name China, indicating that the European G7 countries are very clear that the remote South China Sea belongs to Asia and that the issue should be resolved among the related countries through consultation. What qualifications do outsiders have to criticize the involved country so recklessly? Meanwhile, the rich G7 countries’ club is no longer what it once was. It is in a semi-torn state on many issues. Even though the U.S. and Japan forcefully pushed the South China Sea issue, how will the European countries that are in a big mess and have a hard time taking care of themselves have the energy to interfere in the South China Sea, not to mention their becoming an enemy of China? This is by no means the best policy!” 

Source: Xinhua, June 11, 2015 
http://www.xinhuanet.com/world/jrch/551.htm
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Xinhua: Insulting China with Devil’s Curse; How Does Aquino Become So Brazen

Xinhua published a group of articles in its web magazine, International Sphere (Volume 548) striking back at Philippine President Aquino’s remarks during his visit to Japan in which he compared China to Nazi Germany. In the introduction, the editor wrote, “During his visit to Japan, Philippine President Aquino III made irresponsible remarks regarding the South China Sea issue. This was expected. What was surprising was that, as a head of state, Aquino totally disregarded the bottom line in diplomatic relations, openly talking nonsense, and comparing China’s reasonable and lawful activities in the South China Sea with Nazi Germany. In openly insulting a big country that has normal diplomatic relations with the Philippines, it is losing the national dignity of the entire Philippines. If a head of state makes such a downcast speech, how can the nation be noble and the people have pride!” 

Similar language was used in the collection of articles. For example, “If the Chinese did not have such good-natured composure, the Philippines might have come to know how many big slaps on the mouth they have suffered.” “Why does the Philippines dare to be so rampant, continuously fan the flames, and maliciously provoke? An important reason is that there are external forces in back of them to support them.” 

Source: Xinhua, June 5, 2015 
http://www.xinhuanet.com/world/jrch/548.htm

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China and Japan Are Negotiating an Extradition Treaty

Xinhua recently reported that China and Japan just completed a round of negotiations on signing an extradition treaty. The last round of negotiations took place in 2010 and was later paused due to the worsened relationship between the two nations. China has such a treaty with 38 countries but Japan only has extradition treaties with the United States and South Korea. Currently, China is the number one destination country for Japanese criminals to hide, so the Japanese authorities are very much interested in having such a treaty in place. The on-going anti-corruption movement in China also calls for legal tools to help capture corrupt officials who have escaped to Japan. However, some Japanese human rights advocates are against this initiative and have expressed their concern that China could abuse the concept of “criminal.” This recent round of negotiations has lasted for two days.
Source: Xinhua, June 5, 2015
http://china.cankaoxiaoxi.com/2015/0605/807284.shtml
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