The blame for maritime disputes

Regarding Michael Richardson’s March 14 article, “China using Senkakus to test Japan, U.S.“: According to Richardson, China is using the sovereignty dispute over the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands to test Japan and the United States.

But isn’t Japan “testing” China by changing the status quo and “nationalizing” the islands? Or isn’t the U.S. “testing” China by refocusing its military on Asia and reinvigorating regional alliances?

The point is that there is ample fault and blame to go around regarding the rising tension over sovereignty and maritime disputes in the East and South China seas. Why does Richardson single out China as the nefarious instigator of the disputes with ulterior motives? His political opinions appear biased against China.

mark j. valencia
kaneohe, hawaii
