Diaoyu Islands

The 18th marked the 81st, or 83rd, anniversary of Japan’s expansion into China. At the school, at least where the students live, they sounded the air raid alarms. The premier spoke. Teachers and administrators instructed students not to attend anticipated demonstrations in Wuhu. Most students listened. One of my students, however, did not.

She decided to attend the demonstration with a roommate, but they arrived late. Upon arrival they saw a Japanese car with its windows smashed in. She reported no damage to the bodywork. In her diary, she writes the protest’s organizers were using the occasion to pimp Chinese merchandise. I wonder what she means.

I picture the local plant director for Cherry, sledgehammer still in hand, entreating his compatriots to buy Chinese, as teenage girls in skimpy liveries,  hand out free samples. In any case, my student says there was a strong commercial vibe. She got the idea the organizers didn’t care about China at all. It was all a stunt to garner free publicity. She said it made her sick.

Meanwhile, in Xia’n, a man, driving in a Japanese brand car, had his head dashed in by a protester. The assailant was young, a bit pudgy, his skin untanned. I doubt he was a university student. In fact, it turns out he was likely a factory worker. Likely he was put up to it.

Over eager local officials went to a factory, gave a prep talk to some workers, and sent them out to protest. Things get out of hand; the assailant assaults a man in a Japanese car.  Things, in all likelihood, were never in hand. There are people that claim these protests were planned. I agree. But the protests also took on a life of their own.

In Shenzhen, workers smashed up Japanese cars. In Xia’n, a worker put a passenger into the hospital. In another city, a university professor slapped a elderly man for attack Chairman Hu. His exploit made the news. The success of aiguozhuyi (the idea that you must love your country) has always surprised me. In truth, I don’t know much of the history here. However, I think up until this period concern for country was always secondary. Family is what mattered. Family still is what matters, but aiguozhuyi is a useful banner.

I beat him because he was driving a Japanese car. I didn’t beat him because I envied him.

There seems very little the Party can do to resolve the Diaoyu Island issue, or any of the island disputes. But if they do nothing, if their response is considered weak, they risk becoming targets. People are already complaining about the Government’s weak response.

No doubt these disputes will be an issue for decades to come. What happens when Japan decides to develop? Worse yet, what happens when Vietnam tries to develop?