China nixes events to mark 40 years of Japan ties

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China nixes events to mark 40 years of Japan ties

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Taiwan's government has maintained a cautious approach to the dispute.

23 September,2012 03:26 pm

China has canceled events to commemorate 40 years of diplomatic relations with Japan, further signaling its anger over a simmering territorial dispute.Japanese Foreign Ministry official Hiroaki Sakamoto confirmed that China has canceled the events, planned for Thursday. Hedid not provide further details.Chinas Xinhua News Agency, citing officials with the China-Japan Friendship Association and another government-affiliated group, reported Sunday that the events would not take place as planned. It said they would be held at a proper time.Calls to Chinas Foreign Ministry were not answered Sunday. In its evening broadcast, China Central Television said the timing of the events was being adjusted.Relations have sunk to their worst level in years as the two sides spar over islands in the East China Sea claimed by both countries and by Taiwan.In Taiwans capital, Taipei, hundreds of people marched Sunday to protest against Japan for occupying the islands.They waved anti-Japan signs and asked Tokyo to relinquish the islands, called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.Japans government purchased several of the islands from their private Japanese owners this month, setting off angrydemonstrations across China.A group of Taiwanese fishermen say they will sail 60 boats to the islands on Monday to protect their fishing grounds.Taiwans government has maintained a cautious approach to the dispute to avoid straining ties with Japan.