I'm Steve Ember with In the News, in VOA Special English.
Last Saturday and Sunday there were anti-Japanese protests in Beijing and other cities. Protesters threw rocks at Japanese diplomatic offices and attacked Japanese-owned businesses.
Some observers say the real reason for the Chinese anger is the attempt by Japan to get a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. More than twenty million Chinese are reported to have signed an Internet petition to oppose such action.
China and Japan have grown into major trading partners. Yet Japan's history as an aggressor in Asia continues to put pressure on relations. There is again a dispute over a history book for Japanese students. The Chinese say the book does not tell the truth about Japanese actions during World War Two.
The United Nations is currently considering a re-organization. Proposals include adding members to the Security Council.
There are currently five permanent members: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. Only they have the individual power to veto council actions.
Secretary General Kofi Annan says the current Security Council represents the world of nineteen forty-five. He says the council needs to better represent the international community today.
But competition for energy resources is not the only problem.
Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura is expected in Beijing on Sunday for talks on a number of issues.
Tensions deepened this week between China and Japan.
