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A very rash act by the US (2)

By Yang Yi (China Daily)

09:36, January 15, 2013

The US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security is a bilateral arrangement forged in a particular historical period. It should not harm the interests of any third party, let alone interfere in a territorial dispute between other countries. US officials have said on many occasions that the US does not take sides in the dispute over the sovereignty of the Diaoyu Islands, known as the Senkakus in Japan. The US government should live up to its words.

It is an alarming fact that Japanese society is turning more and more conservative, and a few politicians are provoking rightist sentiment in the country by trying to change the political pattern in East Asia that was established with a US-led effort after World War II, and by seeking to break the restrictions imposed by Japan's Constitution drawn up under the US' supervision. The current moves by the US will inevitably encourage the Japanese rightists in their challenge to China's sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands and will aggravate the conflicts between China and Japan. Once Japan breaks the bounds of the pacifist constitution, the unbridled rightist movement will spin out of control. By then, it will be too late for the US to change tack.

The US politicians may hope that their latest move will appease Japan and put pressure on China. But they have not realized, or do not want to realize, that the move will eventually harm the US. If Japan, backed by the US, adopts a more aggressive attitude over the Diaoyu Islands, it will undoubtedly meet a staunch reaction from China politically, economically, diplomatically and even militarily.

Peaceful development is an important part of China's strategy for realizing socialism with Chinese characteristics. China is concentrating all of its efforts on economic development in a bid to develop itself into a well-off society. This is the main goal of the Chinese nation. However, this doesn't mean that China will allow itself to be humiliated and provoked for the sake of maintaining lasting strategic opportunities. China never fires the first shot, but it will resolutely fight back if its national interests are violated.

Should a violent confrontation occur between China and Japan, it will not only harm the interests of both countries, it will also drag the US into the abyss of war. It's never too late to change. If the US stops before going over the cliff, it can avoid falling into the abyss. It is necessary to advise those US statesmen who have the right political wisdom and courage to come to the front to safeguard the regional peace, stability and prosperity, and stabilize the relationship between China and the US.

The author, a navy rear admiral, is former director of the Strategic Study Institute of the University of National Defense. www.chinausfocus.com

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