Japan has been playing out a farce. It started with a plan to name (rather rename) some of the islets of the Diaoyu Islands. Then came its attempt to "buy" the islands from their supposed private owner, intend to "nationalize" them and conduct a joint landing drill with the United States, followed by the Tokyo metropolitan government's illegal survey around the Diaoyu Islands.

Japan's actions have infringed on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime interests, and poisoned bilateral relations, which could have reached a new height in the 40th year of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Despite facing an indifferent Japanese government (which is not bothered about frayed bilateral ties) and right-wing conspirators, China has adhered to the principles enshrined in the four political documents signed between Beijing and Tokyo, and maintained utmost restraint. It has done so in the hope that Japan would respect historical facts and international law, and hold talks under the existing bilateral mechanisms, such as the China-Japan high-level consultation mechanism on maritime affairs, to resolve the dispute. This would serve the interests of the two countries as well as regional peace and stability.