China’s Okinawa remarks challenge militarisation, not sovereignty: analysts
Observers say Chinese envoy’s comments about ‘indigenous’ Okinawans not intended to question Japan’s rule over southern prefecture
Chinese observers have downplayed Beijing’s reference to Okinawans as “indigenous”, saying the comments were mainly a critique of the militarisation of Japan’s southernmost prefecture – home to dozens of US military bases – rather than a challenge to Tokyo’s sovereignty over Okinawa.
On October 9, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Sun Lei, urged Japan to “stop prejudice and discrimination against Okinawans and other indigenous peoples”.
Sun made the remarks during a general debate meeting of the Third Committee, the United Nations General Assembly’s principal human rights committee. During the meeting, Sun commented on human rights issues and raised concerns about several countries, including Japan.
The Ainu in northern Japan are the only group officially recognised as indigenous people by Tokyo.
According to a Chinese statement, Sun told the UN meeting: “China urged Japan to confront the history of its militaristic aggression against neighbouring Asian countries and colonial rule during World War II … [and to] genuinely improve the social status of women and end prejudice and discrimination against Okinawans and other indigenous peoples.”