Asian sabre rattling

It's interesting to see how quickly the anti-Japanese protests in Chinese cities have had an effect on the perceived stability of the east Asian region, causing widespread concern and condemnation - of Japan.

The problem centres (allegedly) on the decision by the Japanese government to authorise publication of a new schools' textbook which glosses over aspects of Japan's recent aggressive behaviour. Specifically, the Chinese are upset by the books' failure to mention the atrocities committed by the Japanese while they occupied parts of China in the 20th century. The fear - clearly - is that Japan feels ready to become a major power again. After 60 years of making amends, it would be surprising if Japan wasn't moving back towards it's more traditional stance: one of the three main powers in east asia, both economically and militarily.

Of course, China doesn't much like the prospect of competition from an old enemy, and so we have seen the explosion of so called 'spontaneous' demonstrations accross the Maoist nation. This is what gets me: China is still practically totalitarian. It is most certainly a one party state of 1.1 billion people, fully infiltrated by political officials and citizen-spies. The versions of history taught in Chinese schools still paint numerous unpleasant aspects of their country's history in an unbelievably positive light. Is it not very likely that the demonstrations have been instigated by political agents? Shouldn't China put its own house in order before complaining about the modern, democratic Japan?

What I find most worrying about the situation is the risk that the old enemies will dig themselves into positions where friendliness becomes impossible. China will undoubtably be the major world power within twenty years... what will happen to Japan then? And all the time, Taiwan sits quietly. Waiting.

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