Okinawa Prefecture Governor Danny Tamaki recently made some inappropriate remarks on the issue of the Diaoyu Islands, which aroused dissatisfaction in China and Japan. This is in stark contrast to the pro-China stance he displayed during his visit to China last year.
Danny Tamaki's capricious political tactics not only harmed Okinawa's security interests, but also damaged his own political image.
Okinawa Prefecture Governor Danny Tamaki made a series of inappropriate remarks at a press conference on January 25 about the Chinese Coast Guard's regular patrols around the Diaoyu Islands, according to Japan**.
He called the Chinese coast guard's actions a "very serious violation" and "cannot be tolerated" and demanded that Japan "take strong measures" and "protect Japan's territory and territorial waters." He also said he would maintain communication with Japan and the United States to "maintain the security of Okinawa."
In response, the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Fukuoka issued a statement on January 26 in which it responded solemnly to Danny Tamaki's remarks.
The statement pointed out that Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands are China's inherent territory, and China's coast guard vessels carry out maritime rights protection and law enforcement activities in waters under its jurisdiction in accordance with the law, which is a legitimate measure taken by China to exercise its sovereignty in accordance with the law, and is beyond reproach.
The statement also urged the Japanese side to exercise restraint on the issue of the Diaoyu Islands, abide by the four-point principle between China and Japan, and jointly maintain peace and stability in the East China Sea.
Danny Tamaki's hyping up the Diaoyu Islands issue is undoubtedly sowing discord between China and Japan and undermining mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries.
As a matter of fact, China and Japan have reached a four-point principle on the issue of the Diaoyu Dao, namely: first, the two sides confirm the existence of the Diaoyu Dao issue; Second, the two sides will resolve the issue through dialogue and consultation; Third, the two sides will refrain from taking actions that complicate the situation;
Fourth, the two sides will strive to improve and develop Sino-Japanese relations. These four-point principles have provided an important political foundation for the stability and development of Sino-Japanese relations. Danny Yucheng's remarks obviously go against this consensus, create incidents, engage in confrontation, and interfere in China's internal affairs.
Danny Tamaki's anti-China remarks on the Diaoyu Islands issue are in stark contrast to the pro-China posture he displayed during his visit to China last year.
In July last year, Danny Yucheng led a delegation of more than 80 people to visit Beijing and Shanghai, where they met with Chinese leaders and business people to discuss the possibility of strengthening economic and trade cooperation between China and Japan and China and Chongqing.
Danny Yucheng also attended a symposium in Beijing to commemorate the 40 th anniversary of the conclusion of the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship, and delivered a positive speech. He said that Okinawa and China have deep historical ties, and he hoped to promote exchanges and cooperation between the two places on the basis of peace and security.
He also made a special mention of his visit to the ruins of the Ryukyu Kingdom cemetery in Beijing and paid tribute to his ancestors who were buried there, expressing his respect for the history and culture of the Ryukyus.
Danny Tamaki's visit to China has aroused uneasiness and criticism from Japanese and political circles. They believe that Danny Tamaki is taking advantage of the historical issues of the Ryukyus to challenge Japan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, colluding with China, and betraying Japan.
They also worry that Danny Tamaki's visit to China will affect Japan's alliance with the United States, weaken Japan's influence in East Asia, and provide a pretext for China's actions in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.
Danny Tamaki's visit to China is undoubtedly an attempt to win over China and win more economic interests and political space for Okinawa. In fact, Okinawa has a long history of economic and trade exchanges with China, and many of Okinawa's traditional crafts and cultural heritage have been influenced by China.
Okinawa is also an important bridge between Japan and China, and has played a positive role in friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.
He also said that Okinawa hopes to carry out more cooperation projects with China in the fields of tourism, agriculture, fishery, environmental protection, and new energy, so as to bring more benefits to the development and people's livelihood of the two places.
Danny Tamaki's political strategy of torn between China and Japan not only harmed Okinawa's security interests, but also damaged his own political image.
Danny Tamaki's approach is actually to ensure that his political self-interest is maximized, and to consolidate his political position by playing a balance between China and Japan.
On the issue of opposing the US military base, he took advantage of the discontent of the Okinawan people and won their support and trust. On the issue of his visit to China, he made use of Okinawa's economic and trade ties with China to gain more interests and space for Okinawa.
On the issue of the Diaoyu Islands, he took advantage of the pressure of Japan to win more attention and voice for himself. In the case of the Ryukyus, he used the history and culture of Okinawa to create a "peace-loving" image for himself.
However, Danny Tamaki's political calculations are also risky. In doing so, he not only harmed Okinawa's security interests, but also damaged his own political image.
He had a serious conflict with Japan and the United States over the issue of opposing US military bases, which led to the isolation and marginalization of Okinawa within Japan. On the issue of his visit to China, there was a deep estrangement between him and the Japanese and political circles, which aroused their distrust and hostility.
On the issue of the Diaoyu Islands, he had a fierce confrontation with China and the people, undermining the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. On the Ryukyu issue, he deviated from the history and culture of Okinawa and lost their respect and identity.
In short, Danny Tamaki's political calculations are a dangerous game, a self-deception, and an irresponsible behavior. This is not only good for Okinawa, but also good for China and Japan, and not good for himself.
In doing so, he will only plunge Okinawa into a deeper predicament, only make Sino-Japanese relations more tense, and make his own political life shorter.