US should not put new burden on itself

Key Words: Japan;U.S.;China;Diaoyu Island;Asia-Pacific;rebalancing;

Related Reading:
>> Hegemony of Japan-U.S. alliance
>> Obama takes oath, calls for unity, engagement
>> US' dangerous stance
>> Obama could build a legacy by boosting trust with China

The direction of China-U.S. relations is determined by both countries. The United States should fully understand this Chinese aphorism – "It is impolite not to make a return for what one receives."

Truth will come to light sooner or later.

Unsurprisingly, the United States has taken another wrong step in the Diaoyu Islands dispute. After the dispute escalated due to Japan's repeated risky provocations, China has been warning the United States to be cautious with its words and actions and value the peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Facing the tense situation on the Diaoyu Islands, the United States has reiterated over the past few months that it does not take a position on the ultimate sovereignty of the islands, and acknowledges the islands are under Japan's administration. However, it recently added that it opposed any unilateral actions that would seek to undermine Japanese administration.

What made the United States change its position? What does it mean by unilateral actions? What will it do to oppose the so-called unilateral actions? Does it have the courage to answer the above questions clearly apart from groundlessly blaming China for heightened tensions over the Diaoyu Islands? Its self-conflicting position has muddied the water, and is of no help to solve the dispute.

The United States should be aware that China does not like trouble, but is not afraid of it. After all, U.S. has dealt with China for a long time.

China-U.S. relationship is the most important and most complex bilateral relationship in the world, which has been recognized by both countries. Given the great importance and complexity of the relations, the United States should act and speak prudently. Rash and short-sighted moves do not match its status as a superpower, and may damage its strategic interests as well as the stability of Asia-Pacific region and the rest of the world as well.

Under the new situation, China and the United States must have the courage to face reality, accumulate positive energy, strive to build a cooperative relation with mutual respect and mutual benefits, and open a new prospect for the construction of relations between the two big powers. This is the principled position of China in handing issues of China-US relations. However, it is impossible to clap with one hand. And, as an old Chinese saying goes, "It is impolite not to reciprocate." The United States should have a fully understand of the rich connotation of this Chinese epigram.

There is a bottom line for everything. In the matter of territorial sovereignty, whoever interferes, China will not concede and allow no room for maneuver. The United States should and have to be very clear about the meaning of the Diaoyu Islands issue to China. The United States was saddled with the burden of "secret dealings" relating to this issue before, and we advise that it should not be saddled with a new burden, and not to be kidnapped by Japan and disrupt the overall situation of China-US relations on an impulse.

Read the Chinese version: 美国不要再背新包袱, source: People's Daily, author: Zhong Sheng

We Recommend:
The world needs common development of China, India	More than "putting out the fire" in Africa	Encircling China just Japan's wishful thinking
Philippines moves in wrong direction	Unleash 'China energy' in global governance	Former Japanese PM apologizes for wartime crimes