People’s Daily (overseas edition) published an article titled, "China Must Use a Firm Hand in Dealing with Japan." The article was a commentary on Japan’s purchase of the Diaoyu (Senkaku) Islands in order to nationalize the islands. It said that by doing so, Japan made two fatal mistakes: The first was misjudging the determination and resolve of China to safeguard its sovereignty and territory. “(China will not maintain peace) at the cost of losing its sovereignty and territory. On this issue, we will not give in even an inch.” The second was assuming that the United States will sacrifice its own interests just to benefit Japan. “Japan believes that it is an important foothold for the U.S. to return to Asia and has the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan in its hand as an imperial sword. It is attempting to kidnap the United States on the issue of the Diaoyu (Senkaku) Islands.”
The commentary concluded, “The dispute about sovereignty over the Diaoyu (Senkaku) Islands is a long-term contest of national will, and cannot be resolved overnight. However, if we cannot smash Japan now, the East Asian region will suffer very serious consequences.”
Source: People’s Daily (overseas edition) reprinted by Xinhua, September 12, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/comments/2012-09/12/c_113045028.htm