Japan’s "purchase" of the Diaoyu Islands from a self-proclaimed private owner has provoked fierce opposition in China. Protesters gathered on Friday in front of the Japanese embassy in Beijing, to voice their opposition.
"Diaoyu islands belong to China"-- that’s the cry from this group of protesters who gathered in front of the Japanese embassy.
Hundreds of protesters holding national flags rallied, shouted, and demanded the Japnese government retract its move.
"Diaoyu Islands belong to China!"
"Diaoyu Islands are an inseparable part of China, we must take action!"
China has carried out a series of countermeasures to reaffirm its sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands after Japan signed a contract to "purchase" them.
They include a government declaration of territorial sea baselines, two China Marine Surveillance patrol ships sailing near the islands, and weather forecasts for the Diaoyu Islands being included in its domestic broadcast.
Chinese citizens however, have been demanding a lot more.
"Japan’s recent move of "purchasing" the Diaoyu Islands has provoked fierce opposition in China, some have cancelled their travel plans to Japan and refused to buy Japanese-made products. Protests also broke out in other major cities."
What impact these protests will have on the Diaoyu Islands dispute remains to be seen, but as Chinese citizens begin to organize at the grass roots level to voice their deep opposition, it’s very likely that more protests like this will break out if Japan continues with its unilateral actions that offend the Chinese nation.
