Beijing should back Okinawa independence, says Global Times
The time has come for Beijing to back independence for the Ryukyu islands, the nationalistic Chinese tabloid Global Times says in a piece that demonstrates the paper's trademark feats of offbeat logic to their fullest extent.
The paper's announcement comes following the formal establishment in Okinawa on May 15 of the Association of Comprehensive Studies for Independence of Lew Chewans under the leadership of professor Yasukatsu Matsushima of Ryukoku University and Masaki Tomochi of Okinawa International University. The goal of the association is to seek the formal independence of the Ryukyu islands from Japan.
Though the movement does not enjoy especially strong support, the Global Times said it may grow stronger when the political environment changes in the future. Furthermore, various organizations in Japan have demonstrated support for Tibetan and Xinjiang separatists, so there is little reason why the Chinese should respect Japan's attitude, the paper said.
Global Times said that it is not a Chinese tradition to interfere in the internal affairs of other nations, but China's internal affairs have long seen interference on the part of Western countries. As the United States has its main Western Pacific naval and air force bases in Okinawa, the paper said Chinese support for Ryukyu independence should be considered a way to resist China's naval encirclement.
The Ryukyu Kingdom was formerly a Chinese protectorate before it was annexed by the Japanese Empire in the late 19th century, the paper said, noting that as a result "the historical sentiment of the Chinese people towards Ryuku will be released and become a powerful political force easily if the government does not stop it."
"Although the Chinese support of the Association of Comprehensive Studies for Independence of Lew Chewans may give an excuse to the Western powers to strengthen their pressure on China, they will not treat us Chinese better even if we don't support such a movement," the editorial reasoned.
Pro-China elements exist within the Ryukyu independence movement, the Global Times says. These protest banners use Japanese and Chinese — and the PRC flag — to call for the US to remove its bases from Okinawa. (Photo/Global Times)
Beijing should back Okinawa independence, says Global Times
The time has come for Beijing to back independence for the Ryukyu islands, the nationalistic Chinese tabloid Global Times says in a piece that demonstrates the paper's trademark feats of offbeat logic to their fullest extent.
The paper's announcement comes following the formal establishment in Okinawa on May 15 of the Association of Comprehensive Studies for Independence of Lew Chewans under the leadership of professor Yasukatsu Matsushima of Ryukoku University and Masaki Tomochi of Okinawa International University. The goal of the association is to seek the formal independence of the Ryukyu islands from Japan.
Though the movement does not enjoy especially strong support, the Global Times said it may grow stronger when the political environment changes in the future. Furthermore, various organizations in Japan have demonstrated support for Tibetan and Xinjiang separatists, so there is little reason why the Chinese should respect Japan's attitude, the paper said.
Global Times said that it is not a Chinese tradition to interfere in the internal affairs of other nations, but China's internal affairs have long seen interference on the part of Western countries. As the United States has its main Western Pacific naval and air force bases in Okinawa, the paper said Chinese support for Ryukyu independence should be considered a way to resist China's naval encirclement.
The Ryukyu Kingdom was formerly a Chinese protectorate before it was annexed by the Japanese Empire in the late 19th century, the paper said, noting that as a result "the historical sentiment of the Chinese people towards Ryuku will be released and become a powerful political force easily if the government does not stop it."
"Although the Chinese support of the Association of Comprehensive Studies for Independence of Lew Chewans may give an excuse to the Western powers to strengthen their pressure on China, they will not treat us Chinese better even if we don't support such a movement," the editorial reasoned.
Pro-China elements exist within the Ryukyu independence movement, the Global Times says. These protest banners use Japanese and Chinese — and the PRC flag — to call for the US to remove its bases from Okinawa. (Photo/Global Times)
Beijing should back Okinawa independence, says Global Times