Japan and China relations worsen over disputed offshore gas drilling

[Zech Marquis]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4439171.stm

According to a BBC correspondent in Beijing, Louisa Lim, the rivalry between the two countries as they jostle for supremacy in Asia is at the heart of the tensions.

In a statement on Wednesday, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said it would begin reviewing applications from companies that wanted to explore the disputed gas fields.

Government spokesman Hiroyuki Hosoda insisted the timing of the decision had nothing to do with the escalating row between Beijing and Tokyo. (snip)

Oh that's just so smart--days after a weekend of violent protests at the Jaanese embassy in Beijing,they simply announce this to piss off China even more... :eyes:

Both China and Japan are heavily dependent on imported energy, and both are seeking new sources of energy to power their economies.

In recent years China has conducted surveys of the disputed area, and has refused Japanese requests to stop or provide details of its research. (snip)

Now it is China's turn to be annoyed. Japan's decision to allocate drilling rights in the region comes just one day after Beijing warned Tokyo against precisely such a course of action(snip)

Makes you wonder if * told Koizumi."don't worry, we got your back"?

[0007]

1. Old heat scores are heating up again and soon it will be

a replay of the 30's. Except that the roles will be reversed. And this is not a good sign for this poor earth.

[NNN0LHI]

2. Defying China's warning, Japan to grant drilling rights in disputed fields

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=1504&e=4&u=/afp/20050413/bs_afp/japanchinaenergygas_050413120806

TOKYO (AFP) - Japan said it would allow its firms to explore for gas and oil in waters disputed with China, a move likely to aggravate already high tensions between the two nations.


Japan gave the go-ahead just days after violent anti-Japanese protests in China and despite a warning by Beijing earlier this month that such a move "will further escalate the situation."


China began drilling in 2003 at the disputed site in the East China Sea, which a 1999 Japanese survey estimated had a massive 200 billion cubic meters (seven trillion cubic feet) of gas.


Japan's ministry of economy, trade and industry said it would begin reviewing applications from companies which want to explore the Japanese exclusive economic zone of the fields -- a delineation not recognized by China.

more

[Art_from_Ark]

3. You know what would REALLY irritate the Chinese?

If Japan were to develop these fields with Taiwanese partners...

[Art_from_Ark]

4. I'm sure Koizumi wouldn't have given the go-ahead

if he didn't think his a$$ was covered.

[Igel]

5. It's always possible that China would have the demonstrations against

the Japanese textbooks on a point of honor and principle.

That it has nothing to do with Japan's application to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

That it has nothing to do with gas drilling rights.

Is that the way I want to bet? Hmmm ... I think not. My cynicism must be kicking in early this morning.

[Moderator]

6. Zech Marquis

Per DU copyright rules
please post only four
paragraphs from the
copyrighted news source.


Thank you.

DU Moderator

[rfkrfk]

7. unlike helpless Tibetans

unlike helpless Tibetan civilians,
Japanese are somewhat warlike.
China should take note.