US should not take wrong road on Diaoyu Islands issue

Comments by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the United States opposes any unilateral actions to undermine Japanese authority over the Diaoyu Islands ignore the facts, according to an article in People's Daily.

Here are excerpts:

Since the Diaoyu Islands dispute flared up, caused by the Japanese government's provocative behavior, China has been warning the US to attach great importance to overall peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and to speak and act cautiously.

China's strategy is to prepare for a worst-case scenario and strive for the best results, demonstrating its self-confidence.

People can see China is a responsible power, and also see the positive energy brought by the country's rise.

In recent months, in the face of continued tension over the Diaoyu Islands dispute, the US has been saying it does not take a position on the ultimate sovereignty of the islands, while admitting that the Diaoyus were under the administrative authority of Japan. Now, Washington has added new words, opposing any unilateral action to undermine Japanese authority over the islands.

What made the US change its position? What does this so-called unilateral action mean? What measures will the US take to oppose "unilateral action"? Besides indiscriminately blaming China for the tension, Washington can do nothing about the dispute. The US' self-contradictory rhetoric cannot help solve the problem.

China is not afraid of trouble, and the US should be fully aware of this. After all, the two countries have had contact with each other for several decades.

The Sino-US relationship is one of the world's most important and most complex. Both countries recognize this. In the face of this, the US should give the issue sufficient thought and declare where it stands.

China and the US must have the courage to face reality, accumulate positive energy, and strive to build a win-win partnership with mutual respect and mutual benefits.

This is a principled position China has been insisting on in handling Sino-US relations.

On the issue of territorial sovereignty, it is impossible for China to concede, and there is no room to move. The US cannot deny its historical responsibility on the issue of the Diaoyu Islands, as it put the islands under the control of Japan after World War II.

The US should not be held hostage by Japanese right-wing forces, and should not act on impulse.