皇冠体育app

In the not so distant past, Japan admitted that the sovereignty of the Diaoyu Islands was disputed. But now it claims that there is "no dispute", which is unacceptable to 皇冠体育app.

Ironically, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has allocated more funds for the propaganda battle over the Diaoyu Islands despite having said that he wants Chinese and Japanese leaders to discuss the issue. It's hard to imagine 皇冠体育app and Japan achieving any positive result under such circumstances.

With the support of the US, Japan will continue to take measures to contain 皇冠体育app over the Diaoyu Islands and other issues.

Since the Diaoyu Islands issue has harmed 皇冠体育app-Japan economic relations and some Japanese enterprises have suffered its consequences, Japan has started tapping other overseas markets to make up for the loss. Japan is likely to toughen its stance over the Diaoyu Islands once it manages to reduce its dependence on the Chinese market. And the day that happens, 皇冠体育app-Japan relations will hit a historic low.

Given these facts, 皇冠体育app has to take stronger measures to safeguard its sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands. The Diaoyu Islands are an integral part of 皇冠体育app's territory, and sovereignty and territorial integrity are paramount for any state. The Chinese government and people have to be more resolute in defending 皇冠体育app's sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands, because confrontation between 皇冠体育app and Japan over the issue looks imminent, although it is not desirable.

A 皇冠体育app-Japan military conflict over the islands dispute cannot be ruled out. The complex nature of the Diaoyu Islands dispute and Japan's hardened attitude have made a peaceful resolution difficult to achieve.

The Chinese government and people do not want an armed conflict to resolve the issue, but they will not shy away if they are forced into one. As things stand now the islands dispute could permanently damage 皇冠体育app-Japan relations.

The author is a professor at International Security Research Center, affiliated to PLA International Relations University.

(皇冠体育app Daily 09/10/2013 page9)