nhk world's kathleen ocampo reports from manila. >> china! >> back off! >> reporter: nearly 150 demonstrators gathered outside the chinese embassy in manila, voicing their criticism of recent actions by the chinese government. >> to take away something without even taking consideration your neighbors, i guess that is not a proper way. >> reporter: the latest role began april 10th when chinese marine survey ships prevented a philippine navy vessel from seizing chinese fishing boats near the shoal. as the standoff continued china instructed authorities on may 2nd to step up checks on bananas and other food grown in the philippines. there's speculation the move is effectively a countermeasure on china's part. china accuses the philippine government of being behind the backlash on friday. >> translator: it was inappropriate for the philippines to incite its people to hold the rally. this will only complicate and worsen the situation. >> reporter: the governments of both nations claim the shoal and are refusing to be the first to put out their boats. the stand

nhk world's kathleen ocampo reports from manila. >> china! >> back off! >> china! >> back off! >> reporter: nearly 150 demonstrators gathered outside the chinese embassy in manila, voicing their criticism of recent actions by the chinese government. >> to take away something without even taking consideration your neighbors, i guess that is not a proper way. >> reporter: the latest row began april 10th when chinese marine survey ships prevented a philippine navy vessel from seizing chinese fishing boats near the shoal. as the standoff continued china instructed authorities on may 2nd to step up checks on bananas and other food grown in the philippines. there's speculation the move is effectively a countermeasure on china's part. china accuses the philippine government of being behind the backlash on friday. >> translator: it was inappropriate for the philippines to incite its people to hold the rally. this will only complicate and worsen the situation. >> reporter: the governments of both nations claim the shoal and are refusing to be the first to put out their boats. the stando

kathleen ocampo, nhk world, zumbares. >>> turning to afghanistan now the war-torn country will be the subject of intense discussions at a nato summit scheduled to open in chicago on sunday. u.s. special envoy to afghanistan and pakistan mark grossman spoke to nhk ahead of the meeting. he stressed the importance of long-term financial support for reconstruction. nato countries are starting the long process of winding down combat operations in afghanistan. the chicago summit will discuss how to achieve that in the face of lingering violence. grossman says long-term financial aid is crucial, and he emphasized the role played by japan. >> japan is going to play a very important role between now and 2014, keeping up support for our afghan national security forces, for example, keeping focused on economic development. i believe these are all things japan will continue to do. >> nato members increasingly want to accelerate the withdrawal of troops from afghanistan. washington apparently aims to replace that military power with financial aid from japan. the second largest donor to afghanistan