Cooperation, not threats

The United States and Japan have upgraded their alliance based on a new set of "common strategic objectives".

On Tuesday, Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa and Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto released a joint statement with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calling on China to play "a responsible and constructive role in regional stability and prosperity".

They also asked China to adhere to international norms of behavior and claimed they sought to encourage China's cooperation on global issues.