China-Japan conflict

Clinton Warned of Military Danger in China-Japan Dispute

The festering dispute between China and Japan over five uninhabited islands could spin out of control unless the countries improve their communication with each other, according to a confidential report submitted to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton this week by a delegation of former U.S. officials.

Bloomberg,

3 November, 2012

The bipartisan four-person delegation met last week with Japan’s prime minister and China’s vice premier, who is expected to take over as prime minister, and both countries’ foreign ministers. The U.S. group warns Clinton in its written report that, while neither side wants a confrontation, a mistake or miscalculation could escalate into a military face-off.

 

Members of the delegation described their findings on the condition of anonymity because their meetings and report are confidential.

Clinton dispatched the mission in an effort to assess ways to reduce mounting tensions in light of Japan’s nationwide elections next year, an imminent leadership change in China and rising nationalist rhetoric in both Asian countries over the islands in the East China Sea. The five islands are called Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese. Taiwan, which calls them Diaoyutai, also claims the chain, which is surrounded by undersea oil and natural gas fields.....

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-01/clinton-warned-of-military-danger-in-china-japan-dispute.html