BEIJING: Tens of thousands of anti-Japan demonstrators rallied across China over disputed islands on yesterday, a key historical anniversary, as Tokyo said 11 Chinese government vessels had entered the area.
The moves followed several days of protests, some of them violent, that have raised international concerns and fears of conflict between two of the world’s top three economies, with Japanese firms shutting or scaling back production.
Several thousand people gathered outside the Japanese embassy in Beijing, some throwing eggs and plastic bottles and others carrying portraits of Mao Zedong, the divisive late leader venerated by some for standing up to Japan.
“China is not a weak country anymore. We are strong and we should no longer be bullied by Japan,” said Jiu Longtou, a 31-year factory worker. — AFP