After Nanjing, the PRC government continues to put the brakes on anti-Japanese demonstrations, arresting 42 protesters for acts of violence in the 16 April Shanghai rally.

In fact, the state media in Shanghai has been acting in curious ways, leading up to today's operation. Whether what the police is doing complements or conflicts with what the newspapers are doing is anyone's guess.

In a related story, the China Federation for Defending Diaoyutai Islands have announced that they will not apply for a rally on 4 May, in light of “the big picture” as the Hu and Koizumi governments seek diplomatic means out of the current impasse.

See the extended entry for translations of the news articles.

AFTER THE PASSION OF ANTI-JAPANESE PROTESTS, CHINA ARRESTS 42 IN SHANGHAI FOR VIOLENCE IN DEMONSTRATIONS
TUESDAY, 26 APRIL, LAST UPDATED 18:18

Reuters (Shanghai): Chinese state media reported on Tuesday that police have arrested 42 participants of the anti-Japanese demonstration in Shanghai [on 16 April], and will charge 16 for damage of property.

The arrest operation shows that China is trying to restrain re-enactments of violent resistance, as previous anti-Japanese protests have sent Sino-Japanese relations to their lowest point in decades.

According to the Shanghai Morning News, the 16 “violators of the law” are charged with “taking advantage of the situation to throw rocks and damage shop.” Behaviour of damaging shops and looting seriously disrupt social order, and harm the image of Shanghai city.

The newspaper also reports that Shanghai police is encouraging those who acted illegally during the protests to give themselves up, and others who know of such activities should provide information to the authorities.

State media reported on Monday that police arrested a netizen for attempting to organize an anti-Japanese demonstration for May Day. The Communist Party has already began a widespread campaign to encourage citizens not to “hate Japan,” and has now followed up with the arrest operation.

Media reported on Tuesday that Chinese foreign minister Li Zhaoxing will participate in next week's Asia-Europe conference, but it is not clear whether he will privately meet with Japanese officials.

CFDD CANCELS MAY FOURTH RALLY
TUESDAY, 26 APRIL, LAST UPDATED 05:05

Ming Pao: Tong Zhen, head of the China Federation for Defending Diaoyutai Islands, informed Ming Pao yesterday that when President Hu Jintao gave “five propositions” on Sino-Japanese relations in his meeting yesterday with Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi, it was “our first showing of the cards in years, and established national pride.” In light of the big picture, and to “give the Koizumi government of Japan a chance,” the CFDD and he will postpone plans to apply for a demonstration on the 86th anniversary of the May Fourth Movement.

When we interviewed Tong on Friday (22 April), he said that to reflect Chinese popular opinion, the CFDD and he plan to, either in the name of a group or individually, apply legally for a rally on 4 May. However, when we interviewed Tong again yesterday by phone, he says that he has decided to postpone plans for applyng for the rally, because when Hu gave five propositions when meeting Koizumi, he “considered the big picture, and defended the Chinese position and principles, representing the feelings of the Chinese people, including Diaoyutai-defending patriots.”

Tong says that the CFDD and he will postpone the application also to give the Koizumi government a chance to rectify their mistakes. “The members of the CFDD are well aware of the big picture, and we can express our patriotic hopes in many ways. We will all work well at our jobs, and give much energy to vitalize China.”

Zhong Guohua, Ming Pao Beijing correspondent

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