The U.S.-Japan alliance "should not affect the interests of a third country," Cui said at the John F. Kennedy School of Government of the Harvard University.
"Our positions are quite clear. The Diaoyu Islands are Chinese territory," the Chinese envoy told Harvard students in response to a question on the territorial disputes between China and Japan over a chain of islands in the East China Sea.
U.S. President Barack Obama assured Japan during a visit to the country on Thursday that Washington was committed to its defense, applying the U.S.-Japan security treaty to the disputed Diaoyu Islands. China has expressed grave concerns over the statement.
Pointing out that the U.S.-Japan alliance originated in the Cold-War years, Cui said, "Is it really up-to-date? Or is it appropriate for the challenges of the 21st century? I don't think such alliance will help us."
Cui said while Washington tells Beijing that it is taking no position on the issue of Diaoyu Islands, "it seems to me that it does take some sides, and probably take the wrong side."
The convergence of interests, Cui said, helps build the bonds between China and other Asia-Pacific countries, which "are stronger, longer-lasting and more resilient than those of old-fashioned alliances."
"In this sense, there is no need for us to pivot or rebalance in Asia-Pacific, because this is our homeland. Our roots are here, and our priority never shifts," he said.
Cui added that the new model of China-U.S. relationship is seeking to build aims at win-win cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and requires "positive energy" from both sides.
"It is not about playing with words. Serious commitments have to be made and honored by both sides," the ambassador said.
Cui said China recognizes U.S. presence and interests in the Asia-Pacific region and welcomes the constructive role by the United States in regional affairs.
"We hope that the United States will join the regional quest for 21st century solutions for the challenges before us, so that Asia-Pacific will enjoy lasting peace and widespread prosperity," he said.
[cntv.cn]
25/4/14
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- China convoca a los embajadores de EE.UU. y de Japón por las islas en disputa
China ha convocado a los embajadores de EE.UU. y de Japón tras la declaración conjunta de ambos países en la que Washington se compromete a defender todo el territorio nipón "incluidas las islas Senkaku".
"Altos funcionarios del Ministerio de Exteriores han convocado al embajador de EE.UU. y al embajador de Japón por separado y se les han entregaron notas oficiales", declaró el portavoz del Ministerio chino de Exteriores, Qin Gang.
"Instamos a EE.UU. y a Japón a abandonar la retórica de la Guerra Fria, a respetar honestamente los intereses y preocupaciones de otros países de la region y a abstenerse de nuevas violaciones de la paz y de la estabilidad regional," dijo Qin Gang.
Washington y Tokio emitieron su declaración tras la visita de Obama a Japón durante la que el mandatario mantuvo conversaciones con el primer ministro japonés Shinzo Abe.
"El tratado cubre todos los territorios administrados por Japón. No es una postura nueva, es consistente. El artículo 5 cubre todos los territorios bajo la administración japonesa, incluidas las islas Senkaku", puntualizó Barack Obama...........http://actualidad.rt.com/actualidad/view/126402-china-convoca-embajadores-eeuu-japon-islas-disputa?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=actualidad
26/4/14
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- Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang's Regular Press Conference on April 25, 2014:
- Q: The US and Japan have just issued a joint statement which claims that the US-Japan Security Treaty applies to all Japan-administered territories, including the Diaoyu Islands. It also comments on issues related to the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and the South China Sea. What is China's comment?
A: We are very concerned with some of the contents of the joint statement. To point fingers at other countries by making use of some issues will be detrimental to the proper resolution of these issues and regional stability.
China's position on the issue of the Diaoyu Islands is consistent and clear. The Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands are integral parts of China's territory. The US-Japan Security Treaty, as a product of the Cold War era, cannot change the solid fact that the Diaoyu Islands belong to China. No matter what others say or do, the strong determination and resolve of the Chinese government and its people to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity cannot be shaken.
China, as a sovereign state, is entitled to establish the East China Sea ADIZ, and our practice is in full accord with international law and customs. The US and Japan, both of whom established their own ADIZs several decades ago, have absolutely no right to criticize China's establishment of the ADIZ.
China's sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and the adjacent waters is indisputable and based on adequate historical facts and jurisprudential evidence. The act of submitting disputes surrounding the South China Sea to the international arbitration in itself violates bilateral agreements and breaks the commitment made in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. We are full of sincerity when we say that disputes and differences should be resolved peacefully through direct dialogue and consultation between parties concerned, but that does not mean that we will ever allow our country's sovereignty and territorial integrity to be infringed upon.
Fundamentally speaking, to use the US-Japan Security Treaty to strengthen their alliance and damage the interests of a third party is not only out of step with the times, but also violates the basic norms governing international relations. This is the 21st century. Peaceful development and win-win cooperation is the trend of the Asia-Pacific region and the common aspiration of people living in the region. It represents the mainstream. We urge the US and Japan to discard their Cold War mentality, truly respect the interests and concerns of other countries in this region so as to avoid causing further disturbance to regional peace and stability.
In order to promote regional peace, stability and prosperity, what should the US and Japan do? Isn't it the time to do serious reflection about the Cold War mentality which came into being over 60 years ago? China's ancient philosopher Confucius said over two thousand years ago that a wise man pursues harmony without uniformity, and a wise man is all-embracing and not partial. I hope that the US and Japan can be enlightened by Confucius' wisdom...........http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/t1150345.shtml
25/4/14
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Chinese ships return to disputed waters after Obama's Tokyo visit...
ReplyDeleteTOKYO: Two Chinese coastguard ships sailed into waters around disputed islands in the East China Sea on Saturday, the Japanese coastguard said, two days after US President Barack Obama declared his support for Japan.
The vessels entered 12 nautical miles (22 kilometres) into Japan's territorial waters off one of the Senkaku islands, which China also claims and calls the Diaoyus, around noon (0300 GMT), the coastguard said.
It was the first such move since Obama announced Thursday that Washington would defend Japan, under the bilateral military alliance, if China initiates an attack in the tense territorial dispute.
China has already dismissed Obama's position, saying that the islands are "China's inherent territory."
Chinese ships last entered the area on April 12, according to the Japanese coastguard.
Chinese vessels and aircraft regularly approach the East China Sea archipelago -- thought to harbour vast natural resources -- after Japan nationalised some of the islands in September 2012, setting off the latest spate of incidents in a long-running territorial dispute.
Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have fallen to their lowest point for years.
Some observers warn they might come to blows over the islands, where ships from both sides lurk to press claims for ownership.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/chinese-ships-return-to/1084024.html
26/4/14