The Diaoyu Islands issue is critical to future China-Japan ties. If not properly handled, it could trigger a major conflict between the two sides.

In the not so distant past, Japan admitted that the sovereignty of the Diaoyu Islands was disputed. But now it claims that there is "no dispute", which is unacceptable to China.

Ironically, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has allocated more funds for the propaganda battle over the Diaoyu Islands despite having said that he wants Chinese and Japanese leaders to discuss the issue. It's hard to imagine China and Japan achieving any positive result under such circumstances.

With the support of the US, Japan will continue to take measures to contain China over the Diaoyu Islands and other issues.

Since the Diaoyu Islands issue has harmed China-Japan economic relations and some Japanese enterprises have suffered its consequences, Japan has started tapping other overseas markets to make up for the loss. Japan is likely to toughen its stance over the Diaoyu Islands once it manages to reduce its dependence on the Chinese market. And the day that happens, China-Japan relations will hit a historic low.

Given these facts, China has to take stronger measures to safeguard its sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands. The Diaoyu Islands are an integral part of China's territory, and sovereignty and territorial integrity are paramount for any state. The Chinese government and people have to be more resolute in defending China's sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands, because confrontation between China and Japan over the issue looks imminent, although it is not desirable.

A China-Japan military conflict over the islands dispute cannot be ruled out. The complex nature of the Diaoyu Islands dispute and Japan's hardened attitude have made a peaceful resolution difficult to achieve.

The Chinese government and people do not want an armed conflict to resolve the issue, but they will not shy away if they are forced into one. As things stand now the islands dispute could permanently damage China-Japan relations.

The author is a professor at International Security Research Center, affiliated to PLA International Relations University.

(China Daily 09/10/2013 page9)