Reuters reports, "Japan's release of pictures of Chinese construction activity in the East China Sea will only provoke confrontation between the two countries and do nothing for efforts to promote dialogue, China's Foreign Ministry said. In a defense review this week, Japan urged Beijing to stop building oil and gas exploration platforms close to disputed waters in the East China Sea and expressed concern that Chinese drills could tap reservoirs that extend into Japan's waters. In a statement late on Wednesday, China's Foreign Ministry said it had every right to develop oil and gas resources in waters not in dispute that fall under its jurisdiction. 'What Japan did provokes confrontation between the two countries, and is not constructive at all to the management of the East China Sea situation and the improvement of bilateral relations,' it said. In 2012, Japan's government angered Beijing by purchasing a disputed, uninhabited island chain in the East China Sea. Until then, Beijing had curtailed activities under a pact with Japan to jointly develop undersea resources in disputed areas."
"Chinese shares notched their sixth straight session of gains Thursday as Beijing-backed funds and buying by large shareholders appeared to support the market's rebound, according to analysts. The Shanghai Composite Index closed up 2.4% at 4123.92 while the smaller Shenzhen index gained 2.8% to 2352.65. The indexes are still down about a fifth and a quarter, respectively, from their June highs. Banking and brokerage-sector blue-chip stocks led gains in Shanghai, as more key stakeholders bought shares than sold them, analysts said. Earlier this month,regulators blocked shareholders and company executives with more than a 5% stake from selling shares for six months," writes The Wall Street Journal.
Reuters writes, "China has lodged a diplomatic protest with Myanmar after a court in the southeast Asian nation sentenced 153 Chinese nationals to life imprisonment for illegal logging. China's voracious demand for Myanmar's raw materials has fueled resentment in Myanmar toward its giant northern neighbor. Regions along Myanmar's porous border with China have long been hotbeds for an illegal trade in timber to feed Chinese demand. Much of Myanmar's jade is also believed to be illegally smuggled into China. A court in Myitkyina, capital of Kachin State in the north of Myanmar, handed down sentences to 155 Chinese citizens on Wednesday. Two of those convicted escaped life sentences and got 10-year prison terms. All will have a chance to appeal against the rulings, said a court official, who declined to be identified as he was not authorized to speak to the media."