As anti-Japanese protests continued for a third day in a row Tuesday, government censors imposed a news blackout on coverage of protests, signaling that Beijing was trying to contain further damage to already strained Sino-Japanese relations.No, not quite right. They are trying to squelch organized protest. They are definately worried about how this recent protest was organized and who my be the subject of a future similarly organized protest (themselves).
I predict a clamp down that is much more than the news blackout reported here.
A defaced portrait of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi with Chinese characters 'Ashame' is left at the entrance to the Japanese consulate in Hong Kong after an anti-Japan protest April 13, 2005.
China's refusal to apologise for violence during anti-Japanese protests may tarnish its image at a time when Beijing is seeking a bigger global role to match its economic might, analysts said on Wednesday. REUTERS/Bobby Yip