I was disturbed to see the Diaoyu Islands activists at the Star Ferry Pier, using graphics and highly emotive images of war atrocities to push what appears to be an unrelated issue. I think it irresponsible for activists to use images of 'comfort women' and torture to stir up support for what is basically a territorial dispute. I do not doubt that atrocities occurred during the Japanese Occupation, and I understand that these issues are still important and yet to be reconciled. However, it is highly irresponsible to use explicit images of these atrocities to stir public interest, emotions and funds for a territorial dispute. I think the propaganda techniques being used by the Diaoyu activists are similar to those employed by Pauline Hanson in Australia, in that both use the emotional power of unrelated events to further their own agenda. There is a fine line between patriotism and racism, both Ms Hanson and these Diaoyu activists have overstepped the bounds of patriotism. However good the original intentions of the Diaoyu activists at the Star Ferry Pier, the end result of their actions is to inspire racial discrimination. Giving the activists the benefit of the doubt, I assume that inspiring racism was not their original intention. However they should take responsibility for the effect of their behaviour and employ a more focused and educational display at the ferry pier. NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED
