Hu, Koizumi to meet over strained ties

NO chinese PROTESTS

In Beijing, there was no sign yesterday of new anti-Japanese protests after the government called on China's public to end unrest that might damage economic ties.

Three busloads of paramilitary troops guarded Japan's Embassy's fenced compound. Some of the anti-riot troops passed the time by doing jumping jacks and practicing martial arts in the street.

The government appealed Friday for calm, with state television quoting Commerce Minister Bo Xilai (薄熙來) as saying that more unrest might damage China's economy by disrupting trade and investment ties with Japan.

A spokesman for Chinese nationalist groups that helped to mobilize earlier protests said he knew of no plans for demonstrations this weekend.

"The Chinese people have already done a good job of letting Japan and the world know how we feel," said Lu Yunfei. "Everyone is now reviewing the effects of the marches and looking at where we go from here."