My comment:
(a) Until days ago, Hillary's itinerary does not include China, which was added in the last minute--and to Hainan to meet only with 戴秉国, China's foreign policy czar but not in the politburo. Sentence 2 of the quote says it all.
(b) The above is translated from
Kate Woodsome, US-China Relations Color Clinton Trip to Asia. VOA, Oct. 27, 2010.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/usa/US-China-Relations-Color-Clinton-Trip-to-Asia--105885793.html
(i) A related report:
China Issues to Dominate Clinton's Asia Tour. VOA, Oct. 27, 2010.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/China-Issues-to-Dominate-Clintons-Asia-Tour-105848578.html
US, Japan Call for New Sources of Rare Earth Minerals. VOA, Oct. 28, 2010.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/US-Japan-Call-for-New-Sources-of-Rare-Earth-Minerals-105998003.html
("The United States and Japan say they agree that 'the entire world' must begin to develop new sources of rare earth minerals after receiving a 'wake-up call' from China")
My comment:
(a) Save for the quote, there is no need to read either in (2).
(b) Joint Press Availability with Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara.
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Kahala Hotel and Resort
Honolulu, HI
October 27, 2010
http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/10/150110.htm
Quote:
"QUESTION: (Via interpreter) (Inaudible) Deguchi [surname: 出口] with Kyodo News Service. First a question for Secretary Clinton, and this is about security. Recently – this is about Senkaku Islands, which has (inaudible) spat between Japan and China. And I wonder if the security treaty between Japan and the United States will be applied.
"SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first let me say clearly again that the Senkakus fall within the scope of Article 5 of the 1960 U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. This is part of the larger commitment that the United States has made to Japan’s security. We consider the Japanese-U.S. alliance one of the most important alliance partnerships we have anywhere in the world and we are committed to our obligations to protect the Japanese people.
"QUESTION [Mark Landler, New York Times]: * * * And then lastly, the decision to add Hainan – you know I always ask three. (Laughter.) The decision to add Hainan Island at the last minute to your itinerary, do you worry at all that it risks sending a signal of acquiescence on the U.S. side that you’re going to meet the Chinese on their turf at their request? Is that the kind of signal that’s appropriate to send at a time like this?
"SECRETARY CLINTON: * * *With respect to the dialogue with State Councilor Dai Bingguo, we have an ongoing dialogue and there was an opportunity for us to meet in preparation for President Hu Jintao’s visit which is going to occur in January, which is not very far from now, and therefore there is a lot of work that has to be done. We have a long list of issues to discuss. The information Arshad gave me about the statement from the Chinese Government today on rare earth minerals may shorten that discussion, but there is a lot to talk about in preparation for a state visit by President Hu Jintao.
"FOREIGN MINISTER MAEHARA: (Via interpreter) There was a question about the Senkaku Islands and rare earth minerals. As I have been saying, Senkaku Islands, in terms of history and international law, are inherent territory of Japan and have – we have had (inaudible) control over the islands and will continue to do so.
"[Maehara continues] Today, Secretary Clinton repeated that the Senkaku Islands would fall within the scope of the application of Article 5 of the bilateral security treaty. That was very encouraging. But of course, in the first instance, I think it is important for a country to defend its territory by itself. But through Japan-U.S. cooperation, not just in the interest of Japan’s security but for the region’s security, we shall continue to make our efforts. Today, we discussed that (inaudible) cautiously but closely cooperate on security situation in the region and we confirmed this, so we look forward to continuing to do so in the days ahead as well.
"[Maehara continues] Now, Japan-China relations. Of course, Japan and China are neighbors and neither of the neighbors can move elsewhere. In fact, Japan and China became equals in terms of GDP. We are both number two economic powers in the world.