Blogger’s Note: As far as I am aware, the Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa being largest) has been a distant Vassal State of China since as far back as the Sui Dynasty (581–618 CE). In other words, in return for political recognition and an annual tribute – China would militarily protect Ryukyu – as well as establish trade, cultural, and political links. Indeed, many hundreds of Chinese people settled on the islands of Ryukyu over the centuries (bringing their culture, language, and philosophy) – with hundreds of Okinawans visiting China to learn things such as martial arts. What the Japanese now call “Karate” – is actually transplanted Chinese gongfu styles modified to suit the new environment. Of course, there are “indigenous” Ryukyu Islanders whose DNA is not related to “China” or “Japan” – with others being from Japan. Okinawans of Chinese ethnic and cultural origin should be permitted to exhibit their identity freely – without fear of persecution or censure. During WWII – the Imperial Japanese used the Okinawan people as human shields when the US invaded (the Japanese did this because they have no respect for Chinese people – and they view the Okinawans as “Chinese”). Indeed, the Americans glorified in the murdering of these people who were stuck between two lunatic powers – even “filming” the killing of unarmed Okinawan women and children. ACW (28.10.2026)
Members of a delegation from the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa paid tribute to their ancestors at the historic Ryukyu Kingdom cemetery in Beijing, highlighting a legacy of ties that China is increasingly leveraging as a counterweight in its frictions with Tokyo.
During the visit in June – first made public by the Global Times on Sunday – about a dozen delegates travelled to the site southeast of Beijing, which honours six centuries of ties between China and the former island nation later annexed by Japan.
Located between the islands of Kyushu and Taiwan, the Ryukyu archipelago includes Okinawa – home to tens of thousands of American troops.
During the memorial ceremony, the delegation members paid tribute with traditional rituals, incense and liquor. Some members also wore traditional attire, according to the Global Times.
Among the visitors was Tetsumi Takara, a former Japanese lawmaker who told the newspaper that historical ties between China and Ryukyu “should not be forgotten, distorted, or hijacked by politics”.
The Beijing site holds the graves of more than 10 Ryukyu Kingdom officials and envoys from the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), including an envoy who objected to Japan’s 1879 annexation of the kingdom, and a student who took his own life to protest against the islands’ loss of independence, according to state news agency Xinhua.
