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China Expresses Grave Concerns Over U.S.-Japan Joint Statement

Editor: Mengjie

BEIJING, April 25, 2014 (Xinhua) --

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.

A senior official of China's Foreign Ministry met with U.S. Ambassador to China and Japanese Ambassador to China respectively to lodge solemn representations over the joint statement, said ministry spokesman Qin Gang in a press release on Friday night.

The name of the official was not disclosed.

Earlier on Friday, Qin told a daily press briefing that China has "grave concerns" over some of the contents in the U.S.-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," Qin said.

The United States and Japan issued the statement on Friday, a day after U.S. 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 U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, adding that the U.S. 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 U.S.-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. Enditem

Obama wraps up Japan visit without accord on TPP trade deal

TOKYO, April 25, 2014 (Xinhua) --

U.S. President Barack Obama wrapped up his three-day visit to Tokyo and departed for South Korea on Friday morning without a broad trade accord with the host as expected.

In a statement issued by the White House shortly before Obama left Japan, the two nations said they would continue working towards a bilateral trade deal after talks failed to reach a conclusion.

Obama and Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe made a last-ditch push for the Trans-Pacific Partnerships talks at a summit on Thursday, but according to Japanese Economy Minister Akira Amari, the thorny issue of market access for agricultural products and automobiles has not been resolved.

Obama, on a state visit to Japan for the first time since Bill Clinton in April 1996, assured Japan that Washington was committed to its defense, including over islets at the heart of a row with China, but denied he had drawn a "red line" by saying his government took no side on the issue.

He also shied away from the question of whether America will intervene militarily if an armed incursion targeting the disputed islands happens.

In the joint statement, belatedly released a day after the summit, Japan and U.S. said they back diplomatic settlements for disputes in South China Sea.

After arriving in South Korea, Obama is scheduled to hold talks with his South Korean counterpart Park Geun-hye later in the day. The four-nation Asia tour will also take him to Malaysia and the Philippines.