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Xinhua: Japanese Media Are Turning Right

Xinhua published a commentary stating that, since the beginning of this century, Japanese media have been turning right, following the political right-wing development. They exaggerate the “China Threat” and advocate populism, thus providing excuses for Abe to amend the Constitution to allow military expansion. 

The commentary alleged that the Japanese media make misrepresentations when reporting on China related events. It cited the September 2010 incident in which a Chinese fishing boat collided with a Japan Coast Guard patrol boat near the Diaoyu Islands and also the news reporting on the South China Seas dispute. 
The commentary further alleged that, since 2013, books that criticize China and South Korea have been selling fast. It has become a fashion in the publishing business to publish such books. 
Lastly, the commentary stated that new online media have also been following suit and are increasingly vocal about their dislike of China. In particular, the online media dedicated to China news are keen on picking negative news about China to demonstrate “their superiority over China or their hatred of China.” These reports are often reproduced on Yahoo in Japan, further amplifying the adverse effect. 
Source: Xinhua, July 31, 2015 
 http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2015-07/31/c_128076805.htm
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Xinhua: In Defense White Paper, Japan’s Ulterior Motive Is to Stir Up the “China Threat”

Xinhua published an article on its headline news denouncing the Japanese government’s approved Defense White Paper (2015 edition). The article stated that the purpose of the white paper is to stir up the "China threat" and create a tense atmosphere so as to strengthen Japan’s security policies, develop its defense system, and find an excuse for a closer Japan-U.S. military alliance. 


The article said that "the volume of the white paper this year was the smallest in the last 10 years, but the China-related contents have increased rather than decreased. Attacking China has intensified as well." 

"Unlike previous years, this year’s white paper placed the China ‘threat’ in a prominent position. Furthermore, for the first time this year, the white paper set up a separate section called ‘Maritime Trends,’ making a big fuss about maritime security issues and making the accusation that ‘China’s unilateral action is undermining the principle of freedom of navigation.’"

"The white paper also instigated, for the first time, the issue of the South China Sea islands and reefs. In addition, it published a set of high-definition pictures to show that China is building islands from the reefs, creating an excuse for Japan to intervene on the South China Sea issue." 

"In the white paper, the Japanese government constantly repeated that ‘the security environment is getting more severe by the day and China has become the biggest threat,’ paving the way for the ‘expansion of the role of the Self Defense Force.’" 

Gao Hong, deputy director of the Institute of Japanese Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, stated that the Japanese right-wing forces recently refused to recognize their history, provoking the redline of Asian security and stability. It does this by spreading [the rumor] that the external security environment is deteriorating and China is its "enemy." The purpose is to confuse the public and hide its ever-expanding military ambitions. 

Source: Xinhua, July 22, 2015 
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2015-07/22/c_1116010371.htm

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Global Times: Turkey May Still Purchase Chinese Red Flag 9 Missiles

Global Times recently reported, based on media content in Turkey, that Turkey may still buy Chinese missiles even if Turkey is willing to use American or European weapons. Since the U.S. and the EU suppliers did not meet Turkey’s standards, Turkey is prepared to accept the Chinese offer in a year, unless the U.S. or EU bidders make changes to abide by the standard that Turkey set. Turkey selected the Chinese supplier for its defense system but never signed the contract, since the United States and NATO expressed concerns about safety and satellite compatibility issues regarding the Chinese products. The Chinese supplier agreed to develop and manufacture the weapons jointly with Turkey.
Source: Global Times, July 18, 2015
http://mil.huanqiu.com/observation/2015-07/7038640.html
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Ukraine Has Become China’s Largest Corn Supplier

Well-known Chinese news site Sina recently reported that according to the latest statistics from Customs, China imported 403,881 tons of corn from Ukraine in May. This caused the total amount of corn imported from Ukraine to reach 1.55 million tons so far this year (as of May). That volume was near 90 percent of China’s total corn imports. China has been trying to establish the strategy of diversifying its supply sources for food and oil seeds. Since 2012, China has had in place a US$3-billion “loan for corn” agreement with Ukraine, which quickly became China’s largest corn supplier. Until the end of last year, the United States was China’s largest corn supplier. In the first five months of this year, the import volume from the United States sharply dropped by ninety-five percent. With a tougher relationship with Russia, Ukraine’s struggling agriculture is getting more and more dependent on China’s need for cereals and meat. U.S. senior economist Fred Gale suggested that this trend is in line with China’s strategy of investing in some of the “neglected regions.”
Source: Sina, July 6, 2015
http://finance.sina.com/bg/economy/sinacn/20150706/16421292316.html
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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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