Observers say Wu Yi's snub of Koizumi was an effective protest by Beijing
The abrupt cancellation of the scheduled meeting between Vice-Premier Wu Yi and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was a 'well-planned step' to demonstrate Beijing's dissatisfaction with Tokyo's handling of historical issues, a prominent analyst said yesterday.
The move was also hailed by a mainland activist as a bold gesture by the Beijing leadership.
Ye Zicheng, head of the diplomacy department at Peking University, said the cancellation was an unusual but well-planned way of showing Beijing's displeasure.
'Although officials seem to be playing down the cancellation by denying its connection with the Japanese leader's shrine visits, this kind of diplomatic statement does not necessarily mean the two issues are not closely related,' Professor Ye said.
It was rare for officials to cancel such high-profile meetings because of domestic issues, except in the event of serious political unrest at home, he said.
Professor Ye pointed out that President Hu Jintao had issued an unusually stern warning to the Japanese leader on the eve of the cancellation.