日注視東海油田發展

Recently the Exite News reported the following:

経済産業省は２４日の自民党外交部会で、中国側が東シナ海のガス田「白樺（しらかば）」（中国名・春暁＝しゅんぎょう）の掘削に踏み切った可能性が高いとの認識を明らかにした。沖縄県・尖閣諸島付近での中国漁船の衝突事件が発生して以降、「白樺」にある中国側の洋上施設に掘削作業のドリルとみられる機材が運び込まれたことが確認されており、日本側は、外交ルートを通じて中国に対し、掘削作業着手と誤解されるような行動を慎むように警告していた。

　ガス田で中国の動きがないかとの自民党の質問に対し、同省の出席者が「現場まで行っていないのではっきりしないが、掘削の可能性は高いと認識している」と答えた。一方、外務省の出席者は「掘削の最終的な確認は取れていない。しかし、機材が持ち込まれたことを含め、中国側に新たなことはするなという申し入れはしている」と話した。

On the 24th at the Liberal-Democratic Party's Foreign Affairs Division the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry clearly noticed the high possibility that China had launched digging work at the "White Birch (Shirakaba)" gas field at East China Sea (Chinese called Chunxiao = [shungyou]). After the collision event of a Chinese fishing boat in Okinawa Prefecture in the vicinity of Senkaku Islands, it was confirmed that it could be seen that machine parts thought to be drilling equipment for ocean excavation work were carried in by China at "White Birch" , and Japan was warning China through diplomatic channels to refrain from action that could be misunderstood as the digging work had started.

In answering the question from the Liberal-Democratic Party as whether there was any movement by China in the gas field, the person from the ministry who was present said "It is recognized that the possibility of digging was high though it was not clear because a visit to the site had not been done". On the other hand, the person from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who was present said, ｢No final confirmation of digging is taken. However, it is suggested that new things including machine parts have been brought in by the China side｣.

It seems that the gas field dispute may become another flash point for diplomatic conflicts between China and Japan if both countries continue with their high profile arguments.