China\'s Quest. The History of the Foreign Relations of the People\'s Republic of China - John Garver

722 { China’s Quest

exploitation of the Chunxiao field. Tokyo tripled its East China Sea research

budget and ordered construction of Japan’s own seismic survey ship.^29

Tension over the Chunxiao field increased further in April 2008, when

Tokyo countered China’s move to develop it by authorizing Japanese compa-

nies to begin drilling in the Japan-claimed portion (that is, east of the mid-line

claimed by Tokyo but on the continental shelf claimed by China). China’s MFA

termed Tokyo’s move a “serious provocation,” protested, and reserved “the

right to take further action.”^30 When Japan’s foreign minister visited China to

discuss the matter, Beijing authorized demonstrations at Japan’s consulate in

Shanghai. Over ten thousand people gathered at the consulate, pelting it with

bricks, paint balloons, and bottles and chanting anti-Japan slogans.^31 Several

months later, Beijing openly applied military pressure when a squadron of

five PLA-N warships maneuvered near the Chunxiao field—reportedly the

first time Chinese warships had done that. This display of gunboat diplomacy

came shortly before China’s Chunxiao production platform was to begin

Taipei

Shanghai

OKINAWA

East

China

Sea

Yellow

S ea

Philippine

Sea

Ko

rea^

Str

ait

C HINA

TAIWAN

SOUTH

KOREA

JAPAN

Tarama Jima

(2004 submarine

appearance)

China claim line

(edge continental

shelf)

Japan claim line

(median line)

2008 joint

development

area

Chunxiao

gas eld

Senkaku Is.

(Diaoyu tai)

FIGUR E 26-4 PRC-Japan Territorial Dispute in the East China Sea

Source: “Zhong ri zai donghai xunqiu huli gongying (China and Japan search for mutual interest and dual win

in the East Sea), Renmin Ribao, June 19, 2006, p. 7. James Brook, “Drawing the Line,” New York Times, March 29,

2005, p. C1.