The 81st anniversary of the Japanese invasion of China has sparked a fresh wave of anti-Japanese protests. Relations between the Asian nations deteriorated after Japanese activists landed on disputed islands in the midst of a territorial row.
Thousands of angry protesters gathered outside the Japanese embassy in Beijing brandishing banners with patriotic slogans. They threw water bottles and shouted anti-Japanese chants, reminiscent of wartime enmity between the two countries.
"I came here so our islands will not be invaded by Japan," said Wang. "We believe we need to declare war on them because the Japanese devils are too evil. Down with little Japan!" shouted Wang Guoming, a 38-year-old retired soldier
"I came here so our islands will not be invaded by Japan," said Wang. "We believe we need to declare war on them because the Japanese devils are too evil. Down with little Japan!" shouted Wang Guoming, a 38-year-old retired soldier
Across China many Japanese businesses have been forced to close their doors in what is feared to be the worst day of anti-Japanese protests.
The territorial dispute swiftly escalated after two Japanese activists landed on the island on Tuesday, sparking an immediate response from the Chinese government.
"The unlawful landing of the Japanese right-wingers on the Chinese territory of the Diaoyu Islands was a gravely provocative action violating Chinese territorial sovereignty," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a statement. Beijing rattled the saber at its neighbor, saying it reserved the right to take further action in response to the “provocation.”
Both China and Japan lay claim to a small group of islands in the East China Sea. The archipelago is uninhabited, but it is believed to house significant oil and gas reserves and is located in an important shipping lane.
Both China and Japan lay claim to a small group of islands in the East China Sea. The archipelago is uninhabited, but it is believed to house significant oil and gas reserves and is located in an important shipping lane.
Anti-Japan protesters march during a protest over the Diaoyu islands issue, known as the Senkaku islands in Japan, in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen on September 18, 2012. (AFP photo/Peter Parks)
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