CHINESE PROTEST AT JAPANESE EMBASSY OVER EAST CHINA SEA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002393 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV SOCI CH JP SUBJECT: CHINESE PROTEST AT JAPANESE EMBASSY OVER EAST CHINA SEA ISSUES Ref: A) Beijing 2247 B) Beijing 2372 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: A small group of Chinese demonstrators chanted and waved flags in front of the Japanese Embassy in Beijing in protest against a Sino-Japan joint gas exploration deal on June 18. Security was tight at the government-sanctioned protest, with an estimated 150 municipal police and People's Armed Police deployed. Foreign and Chinese journalists were allowed to watch the tightly choreographed protest from a designated area across the street from the Japanese Embassy. A small group of self-described patriots tried to show their support for the protests but were removed to behind police barricades. The protest itself lasted approximately 25 minutes and included 15 people chanting and waving flags. End summary. Response to the Diaoyu Islands Controversy -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The June 18 protest was organized by the China Civil Association for the Protection of the Diaoyu Islands (zhongguo minjian baodiao xiehui) in response to the expected joint gas deal and the June 10 collision between a Japanese Coast Guard vessel and a Taiwan fishing boat. Protesters consider the actions of the Japanese Coast Guard to be a violation of Taiwan's-and by extension, China's-territorial integrity. Note: The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson twice referred to the Japanese Coast Guard actions as "illegal" and expressed its "grave dissatisfaction" over the issue (Refs A and B). ¶3. (SBU) According to a report in the Hong Kong paper Takungpao, the protest was aimed at three specific goals: --Support the Taiwan people in their effort to protect the Diaoyu Islands and protest the Japanese seizure of Chinese territory; --Question the result of the secret negotiations between China and Japan over the opening up of the East China Sea and question whether China has compromised during the negotiations; and --Call on Chinese people worldwide and Diaoyu Island protection groups to unite. Tight Security -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Three hours before the start of the protest, a large contingent of Beijing municipal police and People's Armed Police (PAP) was dispatched to the Japanese Embassy. Poloff counted 15 police cars and vans in addition to two buses full of PAP parked on a side street. Security was coordinated by a PAP officer in a black Audi. Police set up a media section across the street from the Japanese Embassy where approximately 35 journalists and photographers were allowed to wait. A journalist told Poloff that he had been alerted to the protest by a text message from a group called the Patriot Network (Aiguozhe Tongmeng Wang). Approximately five minutes before the protest was to begin, police closed the street to all pedestrians and vehicles, with each intersection guarded by at least 20 police officers armed with two fire extinguishers. During the protest, municipal police were the main force visible in front of the Embassy, while at least 50 PAP squatted in formation on a side street. All police officers approached by Polloff claimed to have no knowledge of the event as it was taking place. Supporters Removed -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Before the protest officially commenced, a group of 12 Beijing residents gathered in front of the Japanese Embassy to "show support for the protest." One vocal supporter eplained to Poloff that "common people" were no allowed to participate in the protest, but they wanted to demonstrate that "China cannot yield even a small piece of its territory." Most of these supporters said that they had heard of the protest online and decided to attend of their own volition. If there had been real outreach, they said, there would be far more Chinese taking part. Municipal police officers politely moved the group of supporters and Poloff behind police barricades approximately 200 yards away from the Embassy gate five minutes before the protest began. The supporters reacted to requests to move with anger saying that they were patriots and supporters of the protests but did not resist physically. Police allowed them to leave a box of bottled water for the protesters. Protest Uneventful -------------- ¶6. (SBU) At 2:30 p.m., 15 protesters marched onto the street carrying a large Chinese flag and banners, one of which was visible to Poloff and read "China Civil Association for the Protection of the Diaoyu Islands." They first chanted out of earshot of Poloff for approximately 10 minutes in front of the media section with their backs to the Japanese Embassy. They then turned and chanted in the direction of the Embassy for approximately 10 minutes. One BEIJING 00002393 002 OF 002 protester was allowed to approach the gates to deliver a letter of protest. At 2:55 p.m., the protesters marched off the street and quickly departed in a minivan. The street was then reopened. The Japanese Ambassador returned to the Embassy at approximately 3:05 p.m. without incident.