Ahead of his US trip, Shinzo Abe has announced publicly that strengthening the Japan-US alliance would "help protect territorial lands and waters."

Recently, a Japanese friend told me privately that in terms of the Diaoyu Islands dispute, Washington should treat Japan as it once treated Chen Shui-bian on the issue of a "defensive referendum."

In the wake of Chen's 2003 proposal that Taiwan should hold a defensive referendum, the US repeatedly made it clear that Washington opposes any actions by Taiwan to change the "status quo." The US also asked Taiwan to acknowledge that Washington reserves the right to require explanations about any referendum in Taiwan, no matter whether it aims at national unification or the island's full independence. These measures have yielded good effects.

Historically, the Diaoyu Islands issue was sparked by the US. After World War II, the US unilaterally entitled Japan to administer the Diaoyu Islands, which were originally Chinese territory. Japan, which is witnessing a revival of militarism, is attempting to change these postwar arrangements and thus threatening regional peace and security. As my friend said, Washington must treat Japan as it did Taiwan under Chen.

Washington is increasingly anxious about China's rise. It seeks to pin down China through the Diaoyu Islands dispute. The US, taking advantage of the Abe administration to irritate China, has to show some benefits to Tokyo, so that this ally can comprehensively support Washington's Asia-Pacific strategy.

But on the other hand, Washington doesn't want to see the Abe administration being excessively provocative toward Beijing. It has intentionally delayed the visit by Abe who is eager to tap the superpower for help.

China should admit the US contribution on World War II and postwar trials, especially its help against Japan's Class-A war criminals. But China also needs to remind the US of the risk of siding with Japan over the Diaoyu dispute.

Some US politicians have claimed that they acknowledge Diaoyu Islands as being under the administration of Japan. We'd rather see this as being only diplomatic rhetoric to appease Japan. Otherwise, Washington itself will find itself trapped.

The author is a senior editor for the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn