Yokooso!
With the current dispute over the Senkaku islands, it seems China finally has the opportunity to show the world how it really feels about Japan. But, regardless who has the final say in the conflict, the Chinese government has shown its weakness by doing little to stop the mob terrorising and vandalising Japanese people, Japanese interests, and; as in the case of the embassy, Japanese territory in China.
The contested islands' dispute is far from easy, but respect and protection of private property is a sign of intelligence, moral, and good governance. Three things that Chinese officials by downplaying the irrational attacks on Japanese property showed they lack.
Worse of all is that the present Chinese officials, by standing aside as if they were but onlookers, give the impression that China as a whole is careless about the rule of law and that whenever vandals go after private property China's government will step aside.
It must be said that if this centuries old Sino-Japanese fuss over the islands is not handled properly, the results of doing nothing to protect Japanese property in China, and the lack of political restrain in Japan will damage both countries. Because it is true that if the conflict spins out of control both countries will loose vast political terrain locally and globally.
For China is a sign of moral weakness, social weakness, and cultural weakness to lack the dexterity to combat the few, but destructive, that have little or zero respect for the property of others.
For Japan the lack of prudence by its politicians is an embarrassment. And it may worsen Japan's wounded economy, taint its global image, and debilitate its international stand.
But while it's obvious that Japan has its share of abuses against China, it is obvious too that China is after debilitating Japan even more or corner it into a fight.
And whatever China gains if Japan takes the bait, the picture that international media is currently taking of China is that of a nation fond of indoctrination. Chinese people, particularly the young, have little knowledge of what Japan and its people are. But their animosity, which runs from bad to worse, for everything Japanese can only come from government inculcating.
It is true that Japan needs China, but it is also true that China needs Japan even more because China's technology developments are based on Japan's frame works: everything from phones to bullet trains are the heir of Japanese platforms.
It maybe unlikely that China considers an arms conflict with Japan. But it's highly dubious that China is solely after protecting its integrity. The territory in dispute is rather small but arguably a niche of vast natural resources that China wants.
Then again at present, if forced to take sides Japanese and Chinese rich trade partners may have to choose between low cost-low quality Chinese products or high cost-high quality Japanese products. And given the history of the rich, it is obvious they will play it safe and stay with the high end goods.
China may do well to understand that at this point, its economic power still lacks the strength for a long term fight.
Even if forced into a fight, a painful run may also lay ahead for Japan. But it has now what it needs to manoeuvre in the long run. Wounded as it maybe, current Japan's economic strength, and social and cultural foundations can resist a marathon.
Let us not forget that the USA may manage to fool China into accepting Obama's administration contradictory stance, but China fools itself by considering it is stronger than it really is.
And this is also a huge strategic weakness even for the land of Sun Tzu.
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