領海侵入―中国は冷静に振る舞え

--The Asahi Shimbun, July 13
EDITORIAL: China’s provocative acts unacceptable around Japanese territory
領海侵入―中国は冷静に振る舞え

Three Chinese fishery patrol vessels intruded into Japanese territorial waters off the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
　沖縄県の尖閣諸島沖で、中国の漁業監視船３隻が日本の領海に侵入した。

The intrusion took place immediately after Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda indicated plans for the government to buy three of the islands. It would be natural to assume that China's move was aimed at claiming ownership of the islands to counter the Japanese government’s decision.
　野田首相が尖閣諸島３島の国有化を表明した直後である。これに対抗して、領有権を主張する狙いと見るのが自然だろう。

The act needlessly heightens tensions between the two countries, and we strongly urge China to exercise self-control.
　いたずらに両国間の緊張を高める行為であり、中国側の自制を強く求める。

The event took place on the very day when the Japanese and Chinese foreign ministers were to meet on the sidelines of meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Cambodia.
　折しも、カンボジアでの東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）の会議に合わせて、日中の外相が会談する当日だった。

At the meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Koichiro Genba referred to the Senkaku Islands issue and stated, “It is important to manage the islands in a calm and stable manner.”
　玄葉光一郎外相は会談で、尖閣問題について「平穏かつ安定的に維持管理していくことが重要」と説明した。

On the Chinese side, some observers think the Japanese government is trying to change the status quo through national ownership by taking advantage of the moves of Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara, who has announced that the Tokyo metropolitan government will purchase the islands.
　中国側には、さきに尖閣諸島購入を表明した東京都の石原慎太郎知事の動きに乗じて、日本政府が国有化によって現状を変えようとしている、という受け止め方がある。

That is a misunderstanding.
　誤解である。

Whether the islands are privately owned or are the property of the Tokyo metropolitan government or the government of Japan, it makes no difference to the fact they are Japanese territory. However, if the metropolitan government buys them, it is possible that Ishihara, who takes a tough stand against China, could resort to provocative action.
　民間所有であっても、都や国の所有であっても、日本の領土であることに違いはない。しかし、都が買った場合、中国に強硬な姿勢をとる石原氏が挑発的な行動に出る恐れがある。

To prevent unpredictable situations from arising, national ownership stands to reason.
　予期しない事態の発生を防ぐためには、国有化は理にかなっている。

The Chinese side should understand that in the long run, it would benefit both countries.
　長い目で見れば両国の利益になることを、中国側は理解すべきである。

In the last few years, Chinese patrol vessels have repeatedly intruded into waters surrounding the islands. It is the Chinese side that should immediately stop such provocative actions.
　周辺海域ではここ数年、中国の監視船による領海侵入が繰り返し起きている。むしろ中国側こそ、そうした挑発行為はただちにやめるべきだ。

The deterioration of bilateral relations is not in the best interest of China, either. The meeting between the foreign ministers ended with both sides asserting their positions. However, according to sources, it lasted longer than planned and was held amid a calm atmosphere.
　両国関係の悪化は、中国にとっても得策ではあるまい。外相会談は、双方がそれぞれの立場を主張して終わったが、予定時間を超え、冷静な雰囲気の中で行われたという。

We want to believe that the Chinese government also doesn’t want the problem to overheat.
　中国政府にも、これ以上、過熱させたくないという思いがあると受けとめたい。

China is also developing territorial disputes with the Philippines and Vietnam in the South China Sea. This problem was discussed in the series of ASEAN meetings.
　中国は南シナ海でも、フィリピン、ベトナムとの間で領有権をめぐる対立を深めている。ＡＳＥＡＮの一連の会議でも、この問題がテーマになった。

Amid such circumstances, once again, China’s intrusion into Japanese waters must have given international society the impression that the country is taking tough stand, and caused Southeast Asian countries to grow increasingly wary of China.
　そうした中で、今回の領海侵入は中国の強硬ぶりを改めて印象づけ、東南アジアの国々も警戒を強めたのではないか。

In the second half of this year, Chinese leadership is expected to undergo a major reshuffle. In a desperate attempt to solidify a domestic foothold, there is a growing tendency for China to show off its power to dodge criticism on the Internet and other media that it is “weak-kneed.”
　中国は、今年後半に指導部の大幅な交代を控える。国内の体制固めに躍起になるあまり、インターネットなどの「弱腰」批判を気にして力の誇示に傾く場面が増えている。

China should realize that unless it is very careful, its behavior could cause its neighbors to view it as a threat.
　中国の振る舞いは、一つ間違えば周辺国に脅威と映りかねないことを自覚すべきだ。

If China prides itself as “a major power,” we urge it to show it can act calmly.
　「大国」を自任するのであれば、冷静に行動できることを示して欲しい。