China-Japan Relationship Worsens Due To Fishing Boat Clash

The ongoing clash between Beijing and Tokyo over a fishing boat near Sengaku (Daiyutai) islands and Chinese public outcry have further strained the fragile bilateral relationship.

Although the sides have emphasized "calm and care", the ties have cooled down quickly since Sept. 13, when Chinese fishing boat was detained by Japanese Coast Guide. According to Japanese media report, tour groups numbered around 10,000 visitors from China have canceled their original plan traveling to Japan, at least for now. That's on top of a scrapped submit between Chinese President Hu Jintao and Japan PM Naoto Kan on the sidelines of UN General Assembly this month. Another planned meeting between the two countries to discuss the joint development of the gas field in the East China Sea has also been axed.

Adding more pouch to the wound, Japanese today said Chinese have shipped drilling equipments to the disputed gas field.

As the traditional Moon Festival coming, and a long weekend to start soon in China, will the time allow the both sides to sit down and come up solutions, instead of more tensions?

I certainly hope so.