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Japan's delicate position in geopolitics has sparked its disputes with many Asian countries. The most important of these is undoubtedly its territorial dispute with China over the Ryukyu Islands. Recently, this hot topic has exploded again, stemming from the speech of Sun Jianguo, a retired admiral of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The admiral raised a pointed question about Ryukyu independence to the Japanese side in public, which aroused widespread attention and shock in the Japanese media and society. So why does a simple question provoke such a big response? Did General Sun Jianguo's remarks really herald the coming of a war?
Historically, the question of the ownership of the Ryukyu Islands has been the focus of long-standing disputes between China and Japan. In 605 AD, the Ryukyu Kingdom established friendly exchanges with the Sui Dynasty, and from 960 AD, the Ryukyu Kingdom became a tributary state of the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties of China. In the 19th century, after the Meiji Restoration, Japan gradually annexed the Ryukyu Kingdom through military action. In the years that followed, Japan adopted the Japan-US Agreement, making Ryukyu a de facto U.S.-Japan military base.
The Potsdam Proclamation of 1945 made it clear that Japan should renounce all overseas territories, including the Ryukyu Islands, but in the postwar process, the ownership of the Ryukyu Islands became complicated and delicate. The United States occupied and controlled the Ryukyu Islands, then "returned" them to Japan in 1972, but retained its military bases on the islands. All this without consulting and agreeing to China.
However, although the Ryukyu Islands are currently administratively controlled by Japan, the dispute between China and Japan over its ownership has not stopped. The controversy recently exploded again with a speech by Sun Jianguo, a retired admiral of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
Recently, General Sun Jianguo asked senior officials of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces in a very calm tone at an exchange event with Japan's defense officials: "Ryukyu has belonged to the Chinese cultural circle since ancient times, if they choose independence, what will you do in Japan?" This loud remark instantly tensed up the atmosphere present. Rather than just a hypothetical question, this question strikes a deep blow at Japan's sore spot, recalling the history and territorial disputes surrounding Ryukyu.
However, the Japanese response was tough. A Japanese official immediately stood up and retorted: "Ryukyu independence is absolutely impossible!" This prompted General Sun to ask again: "Another example, what if Hokkaido becomes independent?" This question touches on the issue of Japan's territorial integrity and further challenges Japan's strategic bottom line.
The impact of this exchange goes beyond the event itself. The media quickly amplified it, and public opinion in Japan was even more in an uproar. Japanese media have pointed out that General Sun's remarks are challenging Japan's territorial sovereignty, and some media have asked, "Is this declaring war on us?" Such wording shows Japan's nervousness and concern over the matter.
From China's standpoint, however, General Sun's remarks are not groundless. In recent years, Japan has continuously adopted an unfriendly stance against China on important issues involving China, such as Taiwan and the South China Sea, in an attempt to achieve its geopolitical interests by provoking China. And General Sun's remarks may be China's counterattack to Japan's approach, trying to make Japan aware of the consequences of its approach.
And for "is this declaring war on us?" General Sun did not respond directly to such a question. However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stressed at a subsequent press conference that General Sun's remarks were exploring a hypothetical issue and did not mean that China had any territorial claims to Ryukyu, and that China had always respected and safeguarded international law and basic norms governing international relations.
However, the impact of this incident did not subside. Between China and Japan, the controversy over Ryukyu remains, and General Sun's remarks add new gunpowder to this controversy. In the future, how this issue develops will profoundly affect the relations between China and Japan, and will also have a profound impact on the geopolitics of Asia and even the world.
As for the outcome of this matter, many analysts believe that China has sent a signal to Japan through General Sun's remarks: if Japan continues to take an unfriendly stance against China on important issues involving China, then China will spare no effort to protect its national interests. For Japan, this issue is also a wake-up call to be more cautious and balanced in its handling of foreign relations.
Despite the controversy caused by the incident, the dialogue between China and Japan has not been interrupted. Both sides expressed their willingness to resolve each other's problems through negotiation and dialogue, rather than through conflict and confrontation. While General Sun's remarks have sparked controversy, they are a broader reminder that dialogue and negotiation are the best way to resolve international disputes.
It can be seen from this incident that the dispute between China and Japan cannot be resolved in a moment, but dialogue and understanding are undoubtedly the key to solving the problem. It is hoped that in the days to come, the two countries will be able to resolve each other's problems in a friendly manner and achieve genuine peaceful coexistence.
General Sun's remarks were a courageous attempt to draw the world's attention to the territorial dispute between China and Japan. Although this has sparked a controversy, this open and direct exchange is undoubtedly an important step in moving forward with the problem. We hope that in the future, China and Japan can resolve each other's problems through dialogue and negotiation on an equal footing, and contribute to peace and stability in Asia and even the world.
Regarding the speech of the PLA general in front of the Japanese, the Japanese media broke the defense: This is a declaration of war, what do you think, welcome to communicate in the comment area ~