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Nationalism lies inert in all countries, but when ignited it is a dangerous weapon. The dispute is escalating between Japan and the increasingly confident economic powerhouse China over the Senkaku (Diaoyu) islands near Taiwan. It is feeding nationalist fervour among the Chinese population, which may well serve to distract them from the social and environmental problems they face as their economy bounds ahead. Nationalist gesturing may also improve the standing of the new paramount leader, Xi Jinping, among the citizenry and the Chinese ruling elite.