Hu-Noda talks unlikely after reports Japan has agreed to buy Diaoyus
Meeting of leaders at Apec gathering this weekend seen as futile after reports Japan's government has agreed to buy Diaoyu islands
The leaders of China and Japan are unlikely to hold formal talks on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific summit in Russia this weekend because of rising territorial tensions in the East China Sea.
Beijing has reacted strongly to reports the Japanese government is negotiating to buy three of the Diaoyu islands - known as the Senkakus in Japan - from private landowners for 2.05 billion yen (HK$202.8 million).
Last Friday, after a senior Japanese diplomat delivered a letter from Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to President Hu Jintao calling for calm, Japanese officials said they were arranging a meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum in Vladivostok.
Japan's deputy prime minister, Katsuya Okada, said yesterday Tokyo and Beijing were reacting "calmly" to the tensions.
But Japan's Kyodo news agency, quoting Japanese government sources, said formal talks between Noda and Hu could intensify confrontations. Instead, Noda would "possibly exchange words with Hu for a short time".
Tensions have been running high since activists from both countries planted flags on the disputed islands last month. Anti-Japanese protests were staged on the mainland, with two men ripping a Japanese flag from a car carrying ambassador Uichiro Niwa in Beijing.