The article “Shinzo Abe and his struggle with Xi Jinping” by Gideon Rachman in Financial Times on September 1st made many obvious mistakes about China-Japan relationship and China’s foreign policy. I would like to share with FT readers the following three points:

First, the improvements in China-Japan relationship should not be ignored. China and Japan are close neighbours. The two countries have profound ties in their histories and cultures and are important trading partners of each other. In recent years, China-Japan relationship has returned to the normal track and achieved new development. Leaders of the two countries have reached important agreements on building bilateral relations in the new era.

China has never seen it as expediency to improve its relations with Japan. Those who attempted to drive a wedge between China and Japan are playing “zero-sum” game and clinging to “cold-war” mentality.

In fact, China is committed to mutual respect, seeking common ground despite differences and win-win cooperation in developing relations with other countries. We believe that in international relations, different sets of bilateral ties could exist and thrive side by side. China has never asked any other country to choose sides between China and the United States. We pursue a new type of international relations that choose dialogue over confrontation and partnership over alliance.

Second, the history and facts with regard to Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands should not be distorted. The article made groundless accusations and hyped up the dispute over Diaoyu Dao and the researches on Okinawa published by Chinese think-tanks and newspapers. Such allegations are based on wrong perceptions over this issue. Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands are China’s inherent territory in all historical, geographical and legal terms. According to the Cairo Declaration signed by the heads of governments of China, the United States and the United Kingdom, Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands shall be restored to China after the war as islands affiliated to Taiwan. They have never been part of Ryukyu or Okinawa. The Chinese Government has been consistent and never changed its position on this issue.

Third, China’s commitment to developing friendly relations with neighbouring countries should not be discredited. The article’s claim that “China is intent on becoming the dominant power in Asia – and, perhaps, the world” is a misinterpretation and distortion of China’s policy of peaceful development and good neighbourliness.

China pursues peaceful development, which means China never seeks invasion, expansion, sphere of influence or hegemony, not even when it grows strong. In the past 70 plus years since the establishment of New China, China has never started a single war or conflict, nor has it invaded or occupied the territories of other countries.

China is committed to and sincere in developing friendship and partnership with its neighbours under the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. Working together with its neighbours, China has pursued common development, worked to build a community with a shared future and safeguarded peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Facts have shown that when China prospers, Asia will prosper, and when Asia prospers, the world will be a better place.