Chinese General Demands “Return” of Okinawa

A serving Chinese general has been saying he thinks Japan ought to be made to “withdraw” from Okinawa, in favour of the peace-loving Chinese.

According to media reports, a Chinese general attached to a national defence research institute gave a radio interview in which he demanded the “return” of Okinawa to China:

We must demonstrate our resolve over the Diaoyu Islands to Japan with actions, but there is a wider issue – we should formally raise the issue of the return of Okinawa [to China].

Okinawa used to be a kingdom called Ryukyu, but in 1879 Japan forcibly occupied it. They had to abandon the Chinese calendar and Chinese characters.

Japan may have occupied it,  but we need to look closely at the issue.

[…]

Of course, Japan should withdraw from Ryukyu.

Prior to being formally annexed by Japan, Ryukyu had enjoyed various tributary relationships with both Japan and China, usually finding itself under the de facto control of the nearby Shimazu clan in Kyushu.

Recent years have seen increasing amounts of revanchist rhetoric from Chinese sources demanding the “return” or “independence” of the islands, but so far no official demand has been made for them, and none seems immediately likely given they are still bristling with American firepower – although China is already trying to pry parts of their “sacred territory” from the chain.