The Japan Times.
BEIJING — China on Monday branded the U.S.-Japan security treaty "a
product of the Cold War" after Washington reaffirmed its commitment to
Japan in the Senkaku dispute.
The amendment, attached to the National Defense
Authorization Bill, noted that while the United States "takes no
position" on the ultimate sovereignty of the disputed territory, it
"acknowledges the administration of Japan over the Senkaku Islands."
The "unilateral actions of a third party" will not affect its position, it added.
The legislation passed last week reaffirmed the
U.S. commitment to Japan under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and
Security and warned that an armed attack against either party "in the
territories under the administration of Japan" would be met in
accordance with its provisions.
The islands in the East China Sea are called Diaoyu in China and Tiaoyutai in Taiwan.
"The Chinese side expresses serious concern and
firm opposition to the U.S. Senates's amendment to the National Defense
Authorization Act," foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters.
"The Diaoyu islands and affiliated islands
have been China's inherent territory since ancient times. China has
indisputable sovereignty over them."
Hong said the legislation violated Washington's repeated pledge to not take sides in the dispute.
