中国の尖閣発言 「核心的利益」とはお門違いだ

The Yomiuri Shimbun April 29, 2013
China's 'core interests' comment over Senkaku Islands uncalled for
中国の尖閣発言　「核心的利益」とはお門違いだ（4月28日付・読売社説）

The administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping should refrain from dangerous behavior that could escalate tensions around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
　沖縄県・尖閣諸島周辺の緊張を高める危険な言動を、中国の習近平政権は厳に慎むべきだ。

At a recent press conference of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, a spokeswoman said the Senkaku issue pertains to China's territorial sovereignty. "They are certainly part of China's core interests," she added.
　中国外務省報道官が記者会見で、尖閣諸島について「中国の領土主権に関わる問題で、当然、中国の核心的利益だ」と述べた。

It was the first time a senior Chinese government official has made a clear remark that the Senkaku Islands are considered a "core interest."
尖閣諸島が「核心的利益」の対象だと当局者が明言したのは初めてである。

China uses this term to describe matters of national sovereignty, territorial integrity and other national interests over which it will never make compromises.
　核心的利益とは、国家主権や領土保全など、中国にとって絶対に譲歩できない国益を指す言葉だ。

Beijing has used the expression in reference to Taiwan, Tibet and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region before, but in recent years it has been using the term when referring to the South China Sea.
これまで主として台湾やチベット、ウイグルに用いてきたが、近年は南シナ海にも使っている。

The Senkaku Islands were deemed a core interest by the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of China, in January last year. However, the Chinese government never used the expression in its public statements.
　尖閣諸島については、昨年１月、共産党機関紙「人民日報」が使ったが、政府が公式に認めたことはなかった。

A show of maritime might

The latest press officer's remark can be seen as proof that Xi's administration has placed high priority on the islets as it aims to propel China's development as a maritime power.
今回の報道官発言は、「海洋強国化」を図る習政権が尖閣諸島を国家の最優先課題に位置づけたことの証左だろう。

Beijing has been obsessed of late with extending its purported territory and maritime rights and interests, by unilaterally applying the core interest designation to new areas. Such a stance is nothing but self-righteous expansionism.
　核心的利益の対象を一方的に広げて、領土や海洋権益の拡大に固執する中国の姿勢は、独善的な膨張主義にほかならない。

This behavior is totally unacceptable. The Japanese government should continually inform the international community about China's transgressions.
　断じて容認できない。日本政府は国際社会に対し、中国の不当性を粘り強く訴えねばならない。

Beijing is likely to dispatch an increasing number of surveillance vessels from its State Oceanic Administration to intrude into waters around the Senkaku Islands. Japan should prepare countermeasures by assuming every possible contingency.
　今後、中国が国家海洋局の監視船を大挙、尖閣諸島周辺の領海に侵入させることもあるだろう。日本はあらゆる事態を想定して、対応策を練る必要がある。

The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe endorsed the Basic Plan on Ocean Policy during a Cabinet meeting last week. The plan stipulates bolstering the defense system and maximizing surveillance activities in waters around the Nansei Islands, which include the Senkakus. It is crucial that cooperation be reinforced between the Japan Coast Guard and the Self-Defense Forces, among other measures.
　政府は、南西諸島周辺での防衛態勢を強化し、警戒監視活動に万全を期すことを明記した海洋基本計画を閣議決定した。海上保安庁と自衛隊との連携などを強化していくことが肝要である。

It cannot be forgotten that the Chinese military has been increasingly involved in activities in waters around the islands. In January, a Chinese Navy vessel locked its fire-control radar onto a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer north of the islets.
　看過できないのは、中国軍の関与が着々と強まっていることだ。１月には尖閣諸島の北方海域で、海軍艦艇による海上自衛隊艦艇へのレーダー照射事件も起きた。

The situation in these waters remains tense as a standoff between Chinese Navy and MSDF vessels continues.
　この海域では、今も中国海軍艦艇と海自艦艇がにらみ合う緊迫した状況が続いている。

Military standoff alarming

China, backed by a strong military, seems to be signaling it may use force to knock Japan off balance and erode Tokyo's effective control of the islands.
　中国には、強大な軍事力を背景に武力行使も辞さない方針をちらつかせ、日本を揺さぶったり、実効支配を切り崩したりする狙いがあるのだろう。

Beijing has claimed it will never pursue hegemony in the Asian region. However, its actions have only been viewed as an increasing threat to neighboring countries.
　中国は言葉では「決して覇権を唱えない」と強調するが、その行動は周辺国への脅威を高めるばかりだ。

Abe has expressed his own concerns, saying: "The military balance between Japan and China will totally break down within two years."
安倍首相も「この２年で日本と中国の軍事バランスが完全に壊れる」と懸念を示している。

China has adopted a hard-line stance by putting its military might at the fore. Such an attitude is extremely perilous as it could provoke an unexpected conflict.
　軍事力を前面に出す中国の強硬姿勢は不測の衝突を招きかねず、危険極まりない。

Japanese and Chinese defense officials have resumed talks on creating a maritime communication system to prevent unintended clashes between the two countries' ships and aircraft. Tokyo and Beijing should aim to reach an agreement on this front as soon as possible.
　日中の防衛当局は、艦艇や航空機の偶発的事故を防止する「海上連絡メカニズム」の協議を再開した。早期合意を目指すべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 28, 2013)
（2013年4月28日01時31分 読売新聞）