[subego]

Anyone have any insight on this which isn't getting widely reported? Things don't quite add up.

[Thorzdad]

Ostensibly, the protests are over Japan's purchase of a set of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea. The islands have been administered by Japan, but claimed by both mainland China and Taiwan.

Just under the surface, though, this was a trigger that ignited the long-standing hatred the Chinese have toward Japan, following Japan's invasion of China in the 30's and the many atrocities perpetrated by Japanese forces during the occupation and war.

[subego]

What confuses me is why the government allowed the protests to happen.

[lpkmckenna]

China will allow any protests that aren't directed at the Chinese gov't. Hell, most of these protests were probably organized by Communist party leadership.

[nonhuman]

The Chinese government is not only allowing, but, to some extent, encouraging these protests. My assumption is that it is, at least partially, to provide a 'safe' outlet for the Chinese people's feelings towards their own government and avoid more problematic protests.

What I find especially concerning is that these are not just peaceful protests. Property is being destroyed and people are being attacked. It is not safe to be in China if you could be mistaken for Japanese right now (admittedly, it's never been particularly pleasant, but now it's downright dangerous).

I don't really think it would happend, but imagine the consequences if this were to lead to military action between China and Japan. The US would almost certainly get involved (we may even be obligated to by treaty), and taking on the Chinese is really not something we want to be doing right now. It could also lead to escalations between North and South Korea, re-igniting that conflict. Overall, it would be an incredibly bad thing.

[subego]

I'm almost positive the Chinese would never start it. That's not how they play things.

WRT the actual protests, I'd be worried letting them get a taste would be a bad idea, but I can only get so far inside the head of how totalitarian dictatorships work.