They believe Beijing has other priorities and still lacks the clout to take on Tokyo
Mainland analysts said yesterday they expect the central government to take 'cautious' and 'rational' measures against Tokyo in retaliation for its decision clearing the way for a Japanese firm to drill for oil in a disputed part of the East China Sea.
The Chinese leadership would not allow a repeat of the chaotic street protests triggered in major mainland cities three months ago by Japan's decision to adopt history textbooks which China, and left-wing Japanese scholars, claimed whitewashed Japan's wartime atrocities.
'Most likely Beijing will exercise caution and restraint and express opposition only via proper diplomatic channels,' said Peking University history professor Wang Xinsheng .
Mainland authorities did not have much room to manoeuvre even though they wanted to get tough with their East Asian competitor, whose recent behaviour had been nothing short of 'provocative and bullying', he said.
'Tokyo has been going out of its way to obstruct China's development because they feel their superior status in East Asia has seriously been threatened by their rising neighbour,' he said.
But economic concerns and increasing domestic problems such as social unrest in rural areas were Beijing's current priorities, and any reaction towards Japan that was more than diplomatic necessity could backfire.
