China washes the stains of anti-Japan protests

Chinese sanitation workers clean the mess left by protesters across China during anti-Japan protests after Japan’s announced purchase of disputed islands.

Protests in China turned violent in some cities as crowds swarmed the streets
Protests in China turned violent in some cities as crowds swarmed the streets

Sanitation workers in Beijing spent hours today cleaning the walls of the Japanese Embassy after angry protests resumed over Japan’s wartime occupation and Tokyo’s recent purchase of the islands, the territory of which is still under debate.

High-pressure hoses were used to clean the stains of paint bombs hurled by protesters while protective road blocks were removed and traffic was moving normally.

Shops, restaurants and factories owned by the Japanese in China reopened after being forced to close when protesters staged an attack on them.

A number of Chinese cities were the scene of large anti-Japan protests which sometimes escalated to violence over the weekend.

An emotional remembrance on the anniversary of Japan’s invasion of China also added to the outrage experienced by protesters during demonstrations which continued on Tuesday.

The protests were largely triggered by the announcement last week of the Japanese government’s purchase of the disputed islands which fall on territorial seas shared by both Japan and China.