During the Senkaku/Diaoyu imbroglio following the Sept. 7, 2010 collision between a Chinese trawler and a Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel off disputed islands of those names in the East China Sea, some NHK and Asahi reporters emphasized that the anti-Japanese demonstrations in China were not only or even mostly about popular anger toward Japan.
Rather, some argued that widespread social discontent among the Chinese found a sanctioned outlet in the street protests. Taking to the streets to support the government and show the world the strength of Chinese nationalism provided convenient cover for other grievances.
People in Chengdu dismissed this analysis as wishful thinking, maintaining that the demonstrations were first and foremost driven by anger over Japan's actions in the disputed territory.