The China Marine Surveillance ships patrol around the Diaoyu Islands, October 25, 2012. Photo: Xinhua

Japan decided on Friday to urgently purchase additional hardware, including 1,000-ton patrol vessels and helicopters that can fly in rough weather, in light of the normalization of patrol and law enforcement missions by Chinese ships in waters around the Diaoyu Islands. The procurement signals that maritime confrontation between the two countries could continue to escalate.

But China won't be frightened. Japan's provocative moves, including "nationalizing" the Diaoyu Islands, have shaken up the situation. China is bound to deal with Japan's provocation with a brand-new attitude that won't be changed, regardless of how high Japan raises the stakes.

If the two countries engage in a confrontation based on strength over the island issue, Japan is destined to lose; Chinese society is confident on this. Japan's ludicrous "nationalization" move stirred up unprecedented counterstrikes by China. If Japan becomes more aggressive over the Diaoyu Islands issue, the countermeasures from China will only grow stronger.

The normalization of Chinese law enforcement and patrol missions near the Diaoyu Islands has changed the political reality of this issue. Chinese maritime surveillance ships have entered the 12-nautical-mile zone around the Diaoyu Islands, which has already broken down Japan's so-called control of the islands.

Japan must behave more cautiously in the future. The increase of Japanese forces in this area will inevitably lead to greater input from the Chinese side. If Japanese dare land on the islands at will, they need to prepare for further action by China. Chinese law enforcement personnel may land and catch those infringing on Chinese territory. Japan should not think such a day is far away.

It's not that China wants a war with Japan over the Diaoyu Islands. The Chinese still hold a peaceful attitude, but do not dare fight with Japan over the island issue. Today, the Chinese are confident they have adequate capacity to check Japan whenever necessary.

Japan needs to learn a valuable lesson to thoroughly rid its arrogance toward China that has lasted for over a century, and give up its misunderstanding that China can infinitely tolerate its provocation. The Diaoyu Islands issue presents a window of opportunity for China to bring about change. Japan has already lost the moral ground and momentum over the island issue.

It's naïve that Japan thinks it can reverse the dynamics by buying several larger patrol vessels, as such expenditure will prove futile due to Japan's declining forces. China is gradually consolidating its stance over the Diaoyu Islands issue, which has proven successful and should be firmly continued. Only by facing a resolute, powerful neighbor will Japan watch its manner. 

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Japan seals coast guard fleet upgrade

Chinese observers have called on the government to build more advanced and better-armed law enforcement vessels to safeguard the country's sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, following Tokyo's earmarking of millions of dollars to beef up the Japan Coast Guard's (JCG) fleet.

Japan's Kyodo News reported that the JCG is set to receive more patrol ships, boats and helicopters under the government's 422.6 billion yen ($5.3 billion) economic stimulus package authorized Friday.