As widespread and sometimes violent anti-Japan demonstrations erupted in China on Saturday and Sunday, photos of the protests caused a stir on the Chinese microblogging site Weibo.
The photos, some containing offensive and violent content, seem to give credence to fears that the anti-Japan sentiment in China is "getting out of hand," NPR notes.
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Impassioned protesters took to the streets throughout China in the wake of Japan's decision to buy a string of disputed islands.
The Associated Press reports that Japan's embassies and consulates across the country were besieged; many Japanese stores, factories and restaurants were looted or destroyed; cars made by Japanese manufacturers were burned on the streets.
In Beijing, protests were said to be "mostly peaceful," but even the capital was not spared from "extreme messages," VOA News notes.
“Even if all China becomes a grave, we must kill every Japanese,” read a banner carried by a group of protesters marching near the Japanese embassy in Beijing over the weekend, according to VOA News.
Weibo users have also taken to the social media website to question whether or not the protests have gone "too far."
“Let’s be reasonable patriots,” a Weibo user from Liaoning province wrote, according to VOA. “Not all Japanese people are right wing extremists, patriotic sentiments can spread at times but real patriotism is not expressed by beating Japanese people.”
As the anti-Japan protests intensified, Chinese authorities moved to quell heightening tensions on Monday, the Associated Press writes. Some protesters have been arrested, and protest-related content has reportedly been removed from websites.
Relations between China and Japan have long been strained over Japan's military aggression in the 1930s and 1940s, Reuters notes. Tensions have flared in recent months.
Do you think the protests have gone too far? Click through this slideshow to see photographs of the anti-Japan protests and tell us what you think in the comments below:
Anti-Japanese Demonstrations In China
For more photos, click through this Imgur slideshow of images.