China expresses grave concerns over US-Japan joint statement

BEIJING - China on Friday expressed grave concerns over a joint statement released by the United States and Japan, urging the two countries to discard their Cold War mindset and respect the interests and concerns of other countries in the region.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said at a daily press briefing, "We have grave concerns over some of the contents in the US-Japan joint statement.

"It will be detrimental to the proper solution of relevant issues and the stability of the region to make indiscreet criticisms or remarks on the affairs of other countries."

The United States and Japan issued the statement on Friday, a day after US President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held talks in Tokyo.

The joint statement said the disputed Diaoyu Islands between Japan and China fall under the US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, adding that the US and Japan "share strong concern over" China's recent actions in the East China Sea and South China Sea, including the declaration of an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea.

"We urge the United States and Japan to give up the Cold War mindset, earnestly respect the interests and concerns of other countries in the region and refrain from further disturbances to regional peace and stability," said Qin.

The US-Japan security treaty, an outcome of the Cold War, can not change the fact that the Diaoyu Islands are China's inherent territory, he said.

No one can shake the firm will and determination of the Chinese government and people to safeguard China's territory and sovereignty no matter what he says or what he does, said Qin.

He also said the United States and Japan have no right to criticize China's ADIZ established in November, as it is a sovereign country's right and in line with international laws and practices.

Qin added that China has indisputable sovereign rights over the islands in the South China Sea and the adjacent waters.

"China has full sincerity to peacefully solve differences and disputes via direct dialogue between parties concerned, but we will never allow any infringement of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he added.

Fundamentally, the fact that the United States and Japan use their security treaty to cement bloc politics and undermine a third party's interests is "inappropriate and violates the basic norms guiding international relations," said Qin.

He said peaceful development, cooperation and common prosperity are the mainstream of the Asia-Pacific region in the 21st century and the common aspirations of peoples in the region.

"A gentleman gets along with others, but does not necessarily agree with them, neither does he gang up with others," Qin said, citing Confucius, one of the greatest Chinese philosophers in history.

Qin urged the United States and Japan to learn from the saying, reflect on the Cold War mindset and work for regional peace, stability and prosperity.