Qin was answering media questions relating to comments U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made on Friday.
Qin said, "We urge the U.S. side to adopt a responsible attitude in regard to the issue of the Diaoyu Islands. It should be careful with its words, and act and maintain regional peace, stability and the general situation of China-U.S. relations with practical actions and build credit with the Chinese people."
At a joint news conference with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington, Clinton said the United States does not take a position on the ultimate sovereignty of the Diaoyu Islands.
However, she admitted that the Diaoyu Islands was under the administrative authority of Japan, saying the United States opposes any unilateral actions to undermine Japanese authority over the islands.
"The comments by the U.S. side are ignorant of facts and indiscriminate of rights and wrongs," Qin said.
The United States cannot deny its historical responsibility on the issue of the Diaoyu Islands, Qin said, referring to the fact that despite opposition from China, the United States put the islands under the control of Japan after the World War II.
Qin said the Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islets have been the inherent territories of China, which is an undeniable fact backed up by historical records and international laws.
Qin said the primary source of persistent tension over the Diaoyu Islands lies with the Japanese government. He said Japan insisted on carrying out the wrongful action of purchasing some of the islands and continued to adopt escalating moves.
"This is yet another fact that cannot be covered up by any people," Qin said.
Related:
Commentary: U.S. endorsement of right-leaning Japan jeopardizes regional security
by Wang Fan
BEIJING, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The United States pledged Friday stronger security ties with Tokyo's new right-leaning administration and lent veiled support to Japan in the Diaoyu Islands dispute.
After a closed-door meeting with visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed the U.S. alliance with Japan as "the cornerstone of American engagement with the region."
U.S. explicit endorsement of a right-leaning Japan is sure to raise concerns among Asian countries, many of which still hold bitter memories of Japan's wartime atrocities and are casting a wary eye on the newly installed hawkish administration in Tokyo.
There are reasons for them to stay alert. Japan's rightists have shown little sincerity and willingness to apologize for Japan's wartime atrocities.
Worse, instead of facing up to the past, several members of Japan's new nationalistic administration have even attempted to put a fine floss on the country's militarist era by proposing to rewrite school textbooks.
The United States must tread carefully in its dealings with Japan. At this moment, Washington's proposal for tighter military alliance with Japan will only encourage Tokyo's dangerously right-leaning tendency.
Since unveiling its "pivot to Asia" strategy, the United States has tried to cast itself as a constructive force in maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.
Washington's failure to rein in nationalist sentiments in Japan will cast doubts on its credibility as a responsible power in the region.
It is also unwise for Washington to throw support behind Japan in Tokyo's islands dispute with Beijing. This unbalanced position has betrayed its declared intention to stay neutral on the issue.
Source:http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/world