尖閣国有化 中国の圧力外交は行き過ぎだ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 15, 2012)
China should not go too far in its response over Senkakus
尖閣国有化　中国の圧力外交は行き過ぎだ（9月14日付・読売社説）

China is escalating its opposition to the Japanese government's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, over which China claims sovereignty.
　日本政府が沖縄県の尖閣諸島を国有化したことに対し、領有権を主張する中国が反発をエスカレートさせている。

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao stressed that Beijing would never concede, even half a step, on issues concerning what it claims as its sovereign and territorial rights.
　温家宝首相は「主権、領土の問題で半歩たりとも譲ることは絶対にない」と強調した。

The Chinese Defense Ministry said the Chinese government and military would reserve the right to take appropriate measures. They apparently aim to unnerve Japan and force it to cancel the purchase of the islands.
　国防省は「中国政府と軍は相応の措置をとる権利を留保する」とまで主張している。日本を震えあがらせて、国有化の撤回に追い込みたい狙いがあるのだろう。

There is no doubt that China's leaders cannot allow themselves to appear weak-kneed toward Japan given domestic circumstances dominated by the Chinese Communist Party's upcoming National Congress, in which the nation's new leadership will be installed.
　指導部が交代する共産党大会を間近に控え、対日弱腰姿勢を見せられない国内事情があるのは間違いない。

Will China repeat the reckless measures it took against Japan two years ago, in the wake of the collision incident involving a Chinese trawler and Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels? Beijing at that time imposed stricter restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals. If China wishes to call itself a responsible major power in the international community, it should restrain itself from imposing excessive diplomatic pressures.
　中国は、２年前の中国漁船衝突事件後に実施したレアアース（希土類）の輸出規制強化のような、なりふり構わぬ対抗措置を繰り返すのだろうか。国際社会の責任ある大国だと自任するなら、度を越した圧力外交は自制すべきだ。

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No doubt that isles are Japanese

Japan maintains that a territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands does not exist. It was a matter of course that Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba firmly refuted China's claim, saying, "The Senkaku Islands are inherent territories of our nation, and this is a fact without doubts in light of international law and in historic terms."
　尖閣諸島を巡る領土問題は存在しないというのが日本の立場だ。玄葉外相が「尖閣諸島は我が国固有の領土であり、国際法上も歴史的にも疑いのない事実だ」と毅然(きぜん)と反論したのは当然である。

Regarding the nationalization of the islands, the Japanese government has explained that it was "for peaceful and stable maintenance and management" of the islands. It is important that the government persistently make the case to the international community.
　国有化について日本政府は「平穏かつ安定的な維持・管理を行うため」と説明してきたが、今後もこうした主張を粘り強く国際社会に訴えていくことが重要だ。

The Japanese government must beef up its vigilance over actions taken by China in an attempt to undermine Japan's effective control over the Senkaku Islands. Chinese state media recently reported that two patrol ships of China's State Oceanic Administration had started patrol activities in waters near the islands.
　日本政府は、尖閣諸島の実効支配を崩そうとする中国の動きには警戒を強めなければならない。中国国営メディアは、国家海洋局の巡視船２隻が周辺海域で巡視活動を開始したと報じている。

A scenario in which many patrol ships and armored fishing boats enter Japan's territorial waters and take other demonstrative actions cannot be excluded from possibility.
　今後、多数の巡視船や武装した漁船が領海侵犯などの示威行動を取る可能性も排除できない。

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Coast guard must be strengthened

The Japanese government needs to expand and strengthen the Japan Coast Guard's structural functions so that all possible measures can be taken to ensure security in the nation's territorial waters.
　日本政府は海上保安庁の体制を拡充・強化し、領海警備に万全を期す必要がある。

Growing anti-Japan sentiment in China also is a cause of concern. With the approach of the Sept. 18 anniversary of the Liutiaohu Incident, which triggered the Manchurian Incident, calls to join anti-Japan protests have been made through the Internet across China.
　中国国内の反日機運の高まりも懸念材料だ。満州事変の発端となった柳条湖事件が起きた９月１８日にかけ、各地でネットを通じて反日デモが呼びかけられている。

Japanese communities in China also have been shaken by developments such as the postponement of an athletic meet at a local Japanese school. We urge Chinese authorities to act quickly to calm such situations and ensure the safety of Japanese citizens and companies there.
　日本人学校の運動会が延期になるなど、邦人社会に動揺も広がっている。中国当局には、事態の沈静化を急ぎ、邦人や日系企業の安全確保に努めてもらいたい。

It is also problematic that a number of exchange programs have been suspended. China told a group of about 30 Japanese lawmakers from different parties to postpone their visit to Beijing to attend events to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China diplomatic relations. An increasing number of Chinese tourists have also canceled their plans to visit Japan.
　交流事業の停止が相次いでいるのも問題だ。日中国交正常化４０周年の記念行事に出席するため超党派の国会議員ら約３０人が予定していた北京訪問が中国側から延期を通告された。訪日観光客のキャンセルも広がりを見せている。

Japan and China have historical ties. For the sake of further development of bilateral relations, China should not unilaterally close the channels of exchange and communications.
　日中両国は歴史的なつながりを持っている。両国関係の発展のために、一方的に交流や意思疎通のルートを閉ざしてはならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 14, 2012)
（2012年9月14日01時24分 読売新聞）