US Defense Secretary: US-Japan defense treaty covers Diaoyu Islands

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US Defense Secretary James Mattis reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to defending Japan, including the Diaoyu Islands (called the Senkaku Islands by Japan), at a press conference with his Japanese counterpart Tomomi Inada in Tokyo on Saturday.

"I made clear that our long-standing policy on the Senkaku Islands stands – the US will continue to recognize Japanese administration of the islands and as such Article 5 of the US-Japan Security Treaty applies," Mattis said.

According to Article 5 of the treaty, the United States will defend territories under Japanese administration, including the Diaoyu Islands.

US Defense Secretary James Mattis speaks during a joint press conference with Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada in Tokyo on February 4, 2017. /CFP Photo

A day earlier, China's Foreign Ministry urged the US to stop making false remarks regarding the Diaoyu Islands and China's sovereignty. The ministry's spokesman Lu Kang said "the Diaoyu Island and the adjacent islets have been inherent parts of Chinese territory since ancient times." He said this is an "unchangeable historical fact."

Lu added that the so-called US-Japan treaty of mutual cooperation and defense is a product of the Cold War, which should not impair China's territorial sovereignty and legitimate rights.

CGTN Photo

"We urge the US side to take a responsible attitude, stop making wrong remarks on the issue involving the Diaoyu Islands sovereignty, and avoid making the issue more complicated and bringing instability to the regional situation," he said.

Commenting on the South China Sea issue, the US defense chief said he was happy to let diplomacy do its work in finding a resolution. "There is no need right now for military maneuver or something like that... at this time, we do not see any need for dramatic military moves at all."

US Defense Secretary James Mattis and Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada (R) shake hands at a joint news conference in Tokyo on February 4, 2017. /CFP Photo

During their meeting before the press conference, the Japanese defense minister said she hoped the visit by Mattis to South Korea and Japan this week, his first overseas trip since taking office, would lead to deeper security ties among the three countries, according to Reuters.

The report indicates that the new US defense secretary “appeared eager to reassure Japan of US resolve” after President Donald Trump suggested South Korea and Japan were “benefiting from a US security umbrella without sharing enough of the costs” during his election campaign last year.

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