Washington apparently needs more political wisdom in handling its relations with Beijing and Tokyo.

Trilateral relations between China, the United States and Japan have always been delicate, but against the backdrop of the ongoing disputes between China and Japan over the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, their relations have become even more complicated.

On Tuesday, Cui Tiankai, China's ambassador to the US, warned that the US must not sacrifice long-term benefits for immediate interests, when refuting US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's remarks concerning the Diaoyu Islands. Cui's warning is timely and well-intentioned as it points to the severe consequences Washington will have to face if it chooses to connive with Japan in the latter's increasingly dangerous stunts to trample on post-World War II order.