Website helps clarify Diaoyu Islands dispute

A SPECIAL WEBSITE ON THE DIAOYU ISLANDS, after its launch in Chinese last November, presented English and Japanese versions on Wednesday, which attracted a large number of domestic and overseas visits within two days. More versions in other languages are expected. Comments:

Statistics on the visits to the website show people from different regions have different concerns about the dispute over the Diaoyu Islands. As the dispute has long cast a shadow over the relationship between China and Japan, residents from the two nations have mainly paid attention to the sovereignty of the islands. German visitors seem to want to learn more about tendencies in international governance. While South Korean and Russian visitors have emphasized the similarity to their own territorial disputes with Japan.

Li Guoqiang, a researcher on frontiers studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, March 5

The English and Japanese versions of the website can act as a platform for domestic scholars to share their ideas with worldwide readers, and let them know China is a peace-loving nation.

Yin Zhuo, director of the Expert Consultation Committee of the People's Liberation Army Navy, March 4

China of course needs to defend its sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands, but we need to be careful about excessive nationalism, too, as this might cause chaos domestically and have negative effects on the nation's policy. China and Japan need to cooperate, not confront each other, so they can achieve a peaceful solution to their dispute.

Fang Kun, a researcher at the PLA Naval Military Studies Research Institute, March 5