BEIJING, Feb. 14 -- "The Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands are China's inherent territory. No matter what the United States and Japan say or do, they can neither change this fact nor shake China's resolve to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a press briefing on Friday.
Zhang made the remarks when asked to comment on the reports saying the United States confirmed that Article V of the US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security applies to China's Diaoyu Dao during a phone call between Japanese Minister of Defense and US Secretary of Defense.
"The Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan is a product of the Cold War. Military security cooperation between the US and Japan should not target any third party, let alone undermine regional development," the spokesperson pointed out.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. The spokesperson urged Japan to learn from its historical lessons, demonstrate its determination to pursue peaceful development through concrete actions, and make more efforts that are conducive to enhancing the mutual trusts between countries and the regional peace and stability.