IN THE NEWS - Tensions Between China and Japan

IN THE NEWS - Tensions Between China and Japan
By Jerilyn Watson

Broadcast: Saturday, April 16, 2005

I'm Steve Ember with In the News, in VOA Special English.

 
Chinese security forces guard a street near the Japanese Embassy.
Tensions deepened this week between China and Japan.

Japan announced that it will begin to consider proposals to explore for natural gas in the East China Sea. China also claims exploration rights in the area. The Chinese government condemned¹ the Japanese plans. On Friday a spokesman for the Japan Petroleum² Exploration Company said the two sides should seek cooperation.

But competition for energy resources is not the only problem.

China and Japan have grown into major trading partners. Yet Japan's history as an aggressor in Asia continues to put pressure on relations. There is again a dispute over a history book for Japanese students. The Chinese say the book does not tell the truth about Japanese actions during World War Two.

Japan invaded China in the nineteen thirties. The Chinese suffered greatly. Chinese Premier³ Wen Jiabao says Japan must, in his words, "face up to history."

Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura is expected in Beijing on Sunday for talks on a number of issues.

Last Saturday and Sunday there were anti-Japanese protests in Beijing and other cities. Protesters threw rocks at Japanese diplomatic offices and attacked Japanese-owned businesses.

Activists⁴ have spread messages calling for more protests in the coming days in Beijing, Shanghai and other cities. Such unrest is rare in China. The government usually suppresses demonstrations⁵. The Chinese have dismissed suggestions that the government supported the actions.

Chinese officials took steps on Friday to prevent another weekend of anti-Japanese protests. Police warned against unapproved demonstrations and said violators could be punished. A police statement on the Internet urged people to put their trust in the Communist Party to act in the best interests of China.

Some observers say the real reason for the Chinese anger is the attempt by Japan to get a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. More than twenty million Chinese are reported to have signed an Internet petition to oppose such action.

The United Nations is currently considering a re-organization. Proposals include adding members to the Security Council.

There are currently five permanent members: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. Only they have the individual power to veto council actions.

Secretary General Kofi Annan says the current Security Council represents the world of nineteen forty-five. He says the council needs to better represent the international community today.

Mister Annan also says countries that support the United Nations financially should be more involved in making decisions. Japan is a top provider to the U.N.

In the News, in VOA Special English, was written by Jerilyn Watson. I'm Steve Ember.

1 condemned   

adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He condemned the hypocrisy of those politicians who do one thing and say another. 他谴责了那些说一套做一套的政客的虚伪。
• The policy has been condemned as a regressive step. 这项政策被认为是一种倒退而受到谴责。

2 petroleum   

n.原油，石油

参考例句：

• The Government of Iran advanced the price of petroleum last week.上星期伊朗政府提高了石油价格。
• The purpose of oil refinery is to refine crude petroleum.炼油厂的主要工作是提炼原油。

3 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

4 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。