Beijing demonstrators damage US ambassador's car

OCD_OCD: BEIJING (AP) — A car carrying the U.S. ambassador to China was mildly damaged after becoming the target of boisterous anti-Japan demonstrators who were expressing outrage over a territorial dispute and marking the 81st anniversary of Japan's invasion of China.
The State Department said in a statement Wednesday that Ambassador Gary Locke was unhurt in Tuesday's incident, and that diplomats have expressed concerns to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The statement said around 50 protesters surrounded Locke's car as he tried to enter the embassy and were eventually removed by Chinese security personnel.
The incident comes amid heightened vigilance for American diplomats following violent attacks on U.S. embassies in Libya, Yemen and Egypt. The statement said embassy officials have asked the Chinese government to do everything possible to protect American facilities and personnel.

People across China have engaged in days of furious protests over some East China Sea islands, claimed by Beijing and Tokyo, that Japan purchased last week from a private owner. The U.S., a close ally of Japan, has said it is staying out of the dispute, but it also been the target of Chinese anger.

On Tuesday the dispute mixed with remembrances of a 1931 incident that Japan used as a pretext to invade Manchuria, setting off a brutal occupation of China that ended only at the close of World War II. China marks every Sept. 18 by blowing sirens, but demonstrations such as those seen Tuesday are not routine.

Thousands of protesters marched in front of the Japanese Embassy, with some burning Japanese flags and throwing apples, water bottles and eggs. The daylong demonstration periodically spilled over to the nearby U.S. Embassy.

The islands are tiny rock outcroppings that have been a sore point between China and Japan for decades. Japan has claimed the islands since 1895. The U.S. took jurisdiction after World War II and turned them over to Japan in 1972.

OCD_OCD: The disagreement escalated last week when the Japanese government said it was purchasing some of the islands from their private owner. Japan considers it an attempt to thwart a potentially more inflammatory move by the governor of Tokyo, who had wanted not only to buy the islands but develop them. But Beijing sees Japan's purchase as an affront to its claims and its past calls for negotiations.

Beijing has sent patrol ships inside Japanese-claimed waters around the islands, and some state media have urged Chinese to show their patriotism by boycotting Japanese goods and canceling travel to Japan.

OCD_OCD: It seems outrageously silly that the Chinese would have such a fit over the Japanese purchasing these tiny islands from a private owner. If they were worth anything why didn't the Chinese purchase them?

lavendar_star: I have seen these those protests on the news over here some of which have turned violent and quite aggressive talk from Chinese protester. I find the whole thing bizarre on the news here they said it might be the Chinese government's tactics to distract their citizens from problems happening in their country with social inequality and slight down turn in their economy which is probably true. You would think the two nations would be very friendly because of a similar culture and history but its sad that there is so much hostility from both countries towards one another.

OCD_OCD: They really do hate each other. I can't see the Japanese ever doing anything to start a clash, but the Chinese are just bristling for a confrontation. The only thing keeping the Chinese from it is probably that the US would have to intervene and that would not bode well for anyone.

lavendar_star: Yes there is real passion of hate among some of the people and politicians, I mean China is obviously has a far bigger army, I hope the situation doesn't escalate.

OCD_OCD: With everything else going on, this would be cataclysmic.

dave3974: the chinese and japanese have a history of antipathy and conflict , they have little in common, apart from looking similar

OCD_OCD: Dave, don't say that to a Japanese person. They would smite you for that.

Outbackjack: A U.S Ambassadors car is "mildly" damaged.

Really?
I mean really?

Where is your outrage at the "damage" that is being done in Afghanistan or how about all the cluster bombs that are still lying around the world waiting to be picked up by an unsuspecting child?

OCD_OCD: war comes at a price for everyone, doesn't it?

OCD_OCD: the point, in case you missed it, Jack, is that there is unrest between China and Japan and the escalation of attacks on western embassies.

ohnonotthatguy: Its just a car,so it got damaged,nobody hurt,all good.
USA shouldn't interfere at all,it will do more harm than good.
China and Japan have been at their throats for hundreds of years and things get worked out amongst themselves,no need to help.

OCD_OCD: I dont recall anyone saying that the US should do anything.

ohnonotthatguy: OCD Said """The only thing keeping the Chinese from it is probably that the US would have to intervene and that""" ect.

OCD_OCD: i see what you are saying, although I did not mean that the US should intervene, only that if China made a move toward Japan that the US would have to.

ohnonotthatguy: Like i said prior China and Japan have been at their throats for centuries.
USA will not jump into the fire pit so it does not offend China ( like screaming at your bank manager that he's a jerk and seconds later asking him for a loan).USA will sit on the sidelines on this one.

OCD_OCD: I seriously doubt it. China is not even a frenemy while Japan is an ally. China will back off unless they want the US to declare a default.

ohnonotthatguy: US to declare a default on their loans to China would sent a free fall boulder into the already fragile American economy,therefore dropping the dollar in a greater devaluation and harder for the USA to purchase goods from around the world,bringing the nation to a 3rd world developed nation rating.

Outbackjack: OCD.

Who gives a shit?

I was at a protest where Prime minister John Howards car was damaged.

Who cares.

OCD_OCD: If you don't give a crap, why comment?

Outbackjack: Because I can.

I guess I just get sick of seeing you put up all these garbage threads.I mean there are so many things going on in the world yet you get indignant about mild damage to a U.S ambassadors car while the U.S murders people in Afghanistan.

I never see you post threads about that.All I see is a load of right wing pro tea party shite.

dave3974: teh us declaring a default may laed to a drop in us purchases from chine , a drop in us sino trade , a boost to manufacturing in the us and us trade with europe ----it might be a good thing

ohnonotthatguy: Somewhat correct about boost to manufacturing Dave and i must agree with you to a point.
Europe only imports a small amount of USA products (most American exports are to supply US military bases throughout Europe ).
Europe is self-sufficient,they only need oil and they get it from middle-east.
Manufacturing,products from China and other Asian countries are cheap,USA to kick start the industry again will open up a can of worms.
Products made in USA will cost more to make and to purchase,American people are strapped for cash now a slight increase on products will be horrible.
Labour costs and unions drove hundreds of companies out off USA,will they come back?Not in our lifetime,cause of GREED from the hungry INVESTORS.
Americans are very patriotic and will do anything for their country but place to exact items in front of them 1 made in China($9.99) and the other made in USA( $10.99),I bet that 9 out of 10 will buy China.
If USA dollar is De-valuated it will cost more to import goods.

dave3974: what is claer thougt is that the unequal trade with china is very damaging to all -but china, perhaps we do need to move towards some sort of restriction of trade , how can we compete with a dictatorship .

ohnonotthatguy: Again good point Dave.
You asked."" how can we compete with a dictatorship ?""
Dictatorship- China allowed free inter prize within its borders and foreign corporation to operate in China,so in my opinion that's not dictatorship.
To compete with cheap exports you need to drop salaries and hourly wages in your country to the level of Chinese workers.
Look at Europe with governments to meet the TROICK Protests after protests and strikes after strikes all because of pay cuts.
Dave are you willing to cut 70% off your pay,to compete with China's exports?
I am not.