2012 anti-Japanese demonstrations in China

[1] The main cause of the demonstrations was the escalation of the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands dispute between China and Japan around the time of the anniversary of the Mukden Incident of 1931, which was the de facto catalyst to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria, culminating in a humiliating Chinese defeat and a decisive Japanese victory vis-à-vis total consolidation and annexation of Manchuria.

[6] On 4 July 2012, three Japanese coast guard boats made an official inspection of a Taiwanese ship near the disputed island.

The Chinese government angrily protested; Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin retorted "No one will ever be permitted to buy and sell China's sacred territory".

[7][8] On 15 August 2012, activists from Hong Kong sailed to, and landed on one of the disputed islands, but were stopped by the Japan Coast Guard.

[10] After the detainment of Hong Kong activists by the Japanese Coast Guard, netizens in mainland China called for a nationwide protest against Japan on 19 August.

On the morning of 19 August, a crowd of demonstrators gathered and held placards bearing phrases such as "Return us the Diaoyu Islands" and "Japan must confess her crimes".

[23] There were also protests of varied intensities in other major cities such as Jinan, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Taiyuan, Shenyang, Changchun, Harbin, Chengdu and Hangzhou.

Guangzhou authorities arrested 18 people who committed anti-Japanese vandalism and asked the public to submit evidence against other violators.

Stations near to protest sites were closed by Beijing subway authorities,[61] roads were re-opened to traffic, and Beijing-wide text messages warned citizens against further demonstrations.

Police stations across the country vowed retribution against rioters on Weibo, and China's commerce ministry urged foreign companies to report damage to the authorities.