Editor's Note

The past few days have seen a growing number of Chinese demonstrations protesting Japan's unilateral "nationalization" of the Diaoyu Islands, with a series of violent activities marring proceedings.Why have some Chinese demonstrators chosen violent means to show their "patriotism?" Will these violent protests really help resolve the Diaoyu Islands dispute?

Many main stream media appeal that patriotism is a noble act, but protestors should avoid any irrational or violent behavior. Actually, real power and authority are rooted in order, discipline and the ability to keep calm when facing crises.

Latest News

80,000 march against Japan

A growing number of Chinese citizens participated in demonstrations against the Japanese government's illegal purchase of China's Diaoyu Islands at the weekend. However, a series of violent activities that erupted across Chinese cities on Saturday cast a shadow over proceedings.

A total of 80,000 people were involved in Saturday's protest, which continued Sunday in at least 85 cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chengdu, according to the Kyodo News Agency.

The Japanese government estimated that the demonstrations were the largest seen since the normalization of the Sino-Japanese relationship in 1972.

Japan embassy protests continue

Protests continued outside the Japanese embassy in Beijing Sunday as tensions escalated over the Diaoyu Islands dispute.

On Sunday, there was a heavy police presence outside the embassy on Liangmaqiao Lu in Chaoyang district, but the atmosphere was organized and peaceful. 

The previous day, the Global Times saw crowds numbering in the thousands protesting in a chaotic manner outside the embassy, throwing shoes, bottles and eggs.

Protests

Chinese people rallies in front of Japan embassy in Beijing on September 15,2012  to protest Japan's so-called "control" over the Diaoyu Islands.More pictures.

Reactions of                     both sides

China
Protests force closure of Lucky St restaurants A number of Japanese restaurants suspended business on Sunday in Lucky Street, Chaoyang district, fearing they would be targeted following the protests at the nearby Japanese embassy on Liangmaqiao Lu. The Global Times found Sunday that 16 restaurants along the bar and dining strip were closed, including three that do not sell Japanese food. On the doors and windows of all of these premises, staff had hung the Chinese flag or posters with slogans that echo those of the protesters outside the embassy, such as "Boycott Japanese goods" or "Diaoyu Islands belong to China."
Diaoyu spat to impact trade ties: official The Japanese consulate in Shanghai said Thursday that there have been six cases of Japanese citizens being attacked since the Japanese government signed the contract on Tuesday to purchase the Diaoyu Islands. One Japanese person had noodle soup poured on him and received injuries to the eyes, while other people were beaten or had water bottles thrown at them, according to Kyodo News.
Japan
Some Japanese companies evacuated all Japanese employees from Shanghai Some Japanese companies based in Shanghai have evacuated their Japanese employees following cases of attacks on Japanese citizens living in the city, reported the Social Science in China Press quoting Hong Kong’s media. The attacks began after the Japanese government signed a contract on Tuesday to purchase the Diaoyu Islands, according to Hong Kong media.  Source: caijing.com.cn
Japanese embassy school cancels classes after Diaoyu protests  Following the recent protests surrounding the Diaoyu Islands, the affiliated school of the Japanese embassy in Beijing has cancelled classes on September 17 and 18.  Police presence has been increased around the school, and a sports event scheduled at the school on September 15 was delayed until further notice. Approved by Chinese Foreign Ministry, the facility serves as a primary and middle school. Source:jiji.com

View Points

Weibo calls for Japanese boycott to remain ‘rational’

A microblog topic set by Sina Weibo, China’s Twitter-like service, post urging for the “rational boycott of Japanese goods” over the weekend spread quickly online after protests over Japan’s “purchase” of the Diaoyu Islands turned violent in major Chinese cities.

The topicpost on Sina’s official account Weibo had garnered over 68,000 comments as of 5 pm on Sunday since September 15, 2012.

The post Weibo topic follows violent demonstrations in major cities across the nation, including Xi’an, Shaanxi Province when protestors smashed Japanese cars. Protesters also broke into Japanese-run stores and factories in Qingdao, Shandong Province and Changsha in Hunan Province, according to the Phoenix Satellite TV Sunday.

	Violence is never appropriate solution  Protests against Japan's provocation over the Diaoyu Islands broke out in several Chinese cities over the weekend. Violent action targeting Japanese products and enterprises happened in places including Xi'an and Changsha, leaving many Chinese nationals to suffer economic losses. The violence was condemned by Chinese media. It appears that public opinion has reached a clear consensus this time. Protests should not turn to the dark side The past few days have seen a growing number of Chinese demonstrations protesting Japan's unilateral "nationalization" of the Diaoyu Islands, with a series of violent activities marring proceedings. Today marks the 81st anniversary of the September 18 Incident of 1931, which preceded Japan's invasion of Northeast China. It has been reported that a few Japanese factories in China have suspended their business temporarily due to safety considerations. Why have some Chinese demonstrators chosen violent means to show their "patriotism?" Will these violent protests really help resolve the Diaoyu Islands dispute?
	Beijing Youth Daily commented Sunday that resolving the Diaoyu Islands issue will be a lengthy process, so it is understandable that both Chinese and Japanese citizens would feel disappointed, anxious and impulsive as they wait for the outcome.   “Since it is impossible to immediately quell the anger of the Chinese public, the goal, rather, should be to guide them to resort to reasonable and legal patriotic actions,” said the report.   The article urged citizens to stop smashing Japanese-run businesses and Japanese-made products owned by Chinese nationals, to help ensure the personal safety of Japanese in China and not to force others to boycott Japanese goods.
	The Beijing Times suggested on Sunday that China should approach the Diaoyu Islands issue with confidence and patience.  China’s gradual rise to power and the united strength of its people could guarantee China’s sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands, said the report.   The Beijing Times goes on to say that Chinese people should not be soft-hearted, but follow rational and reasonable principles in facing Japan’s territorial challenge.  The article also called for China to win understanding and even support from the rest of the world regarding China’s sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands.
	Patriotism is a noble act, but protestors should avoid any irrational or violent behavior.
	September 16, 2012 , some Japanese media crowed over China’s anti-Japanese protests, claiming they were conducted and dominated by “mobs”, while predicting the protests will lead to social unrest.  Unfortunately, the protests provided ammunition for people like Shintaro Ishihara.  We have to acknowledge that some of our fellow countrymen’s behavior really hurt our friends and pleased our enemies. What we should let the whole world know is there is nothing lacking in the peaceful rise of China, the overall improvement of our people and our government’s lawful administration.

@张颐武:Our society needs some sense. National identity does not equal irrational and violent protest. We should not hurt innocent people and avoid verbal abuse.
@观战者—那勇：To protest is a fundamental right of citizens. Rational appeal and legal expression are basic demands of citizens; however, violence can only express ugliness and evil. Whether it be a nation or an individual, everyone should use legal ways to exercise their rights. Only Fascists are likely to answer violence with violence.
@浙江卫视王帅：Who did you hurt? Your fellow countrymen. What did you smash? Your fellow countrymen’s source of income. What cars did you burn? Family cars that your countrymen bought though hard work – they’re not Japanese tanks. I am firmly against Japan’s government stealing Diaoyu Islands, and firmly support the severe punishment of the mobs according to the law.