CHINA US Focus - Perspectives shaping the world's most important bilateral relationship

In the South China Sea it is essential to avoid future confrontation, not only for bilateral relations but also for the stability in the region. It is also necessary to move both bilateral and regional conflict management process forward.

Japan must finally admit that the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands are disputed, says Ren Xiao. Washington has a responsibility to urge Tokyo to do so. Only on that basis can the two sides try to soften the tension and prevent from any military conflict.

As tensions in the South China Sea continue to rise, the United States must carefully navigate regional tensions to ensure the current dispute between China and Vietnam does not encourage reckless behavior, but rather promotes peaceful dispute resolution.

Despite the US’ claims to impartiality in the territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas, it has made its preference very clear – entirely at the expense of China. US involvement in the region stands at the crossroads, with the current US course destined to only bring increased tension.

US should clarify its policy intention over the Diaoyu Islands and it is unwise for Japan to continue to partially interpret the US policy and over-rely on the US support for occupying the territory which it has no rights to claim.

The dispute over the Diaoyu Islands recently reignited following Japan’s decision to purchase the contested islands. This issue will only become more complicated given the history of US involvement in the fate of the Diaoyu Islands.