CRI听力:China Urges US, Japan Not to Drag Diaoyu Islands into Bilateral Security Treaty

The Chinese government is calling on both the United States and Japan not to drag the Diaoyu Islands into their bilateral security arrangement.

The call has been made following comments from US President Barack Obama, who says the Diaoyu Islands are covered under the current US-Japan security treaty.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei is warning the US side not to send wrong signals when it comes to territorial dispute between China and Japan.

"We urge the U.S. to take a responsible attitude and keep its promise of a neutral position on the territorial sovereignty issue, not to send wrong signals. The U.S. should play a constructive role on peace and stability in the region."

At the same time, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has also issued a response to the US side's stated concerns over Chinese land reclamation projects in the South China Sea, suggesting its work in those waters is of no concern to either the US or Japan.

"The U.S.and Japan are not the parties concerned in the South China Sea disputes and should keep a neutral position on the issue. Don't impair the peace and stability in the region or make moves that may complicate the issue."

The Chinese government insists it has irrefutable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters.

Disputes over those islands involve the Philippines.