The 13th Asia security summit, known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, was held in Singapore from May 30 to June 1. At the summit, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel attacked China both overtly and covertly. Wang Guanzhong, deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, had to strike back. This scene attracted the world's attention. Some Western media outlets commented that the US and Chinese militaries may develop a habit of verbally attacking each other in the future.

Well, let it be a habit. The past stereotyped Sino-US relations are at the cost of China's tolerance, but Beijing's patience is limited. As a large country, China has many rational interests to safeguard and we have to elaborate on our principles to the rest of the world. The overbearing attitude of Washington and Tokyo compels Beijing to consider paying back in kind. 

The US and Japan are so accustomed to the previous situation in which China would make concessions upon their pressure. Therefore, China's retort, even the slightest, will make them feel uncomfortable. They hope to continue seeing a resigned China whose military power should stay the same with that of decades ago. For them, a rising China had better be a fat goose and Asia-Pacific geopolitics can just ignore the fact that it is the second-largest economy in the world.

Against such a backdrop, the only choice Beijing can make is to change their unreasonable judgment and adjust to China's need to safeguard its due rights and interests, which, however, is impossible to achieve overnight. China has never attempted to conquer Asia by force of arms. We expect to resolve all issues through negotiations and consultations, and to protect our period of strategic opportunities, instead of stirring up trouble in the Asia-Pacific region.

As a great nation, we are not overplaying our hand. The reaction of China is reasonable for any big power.

There will be an increasing number of spats between Beijing and Washington and more frequent maritime frictions targeting China in the future, which will not only worry us but also concern Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, as well as the US longing to maintain business ties and cooperation on international affairs with Beijing. Each and every regional stakeholder should assume the responsibility of safeguarding Asia-Pacific peace and stability and refrain from viewing China as the doormat.

Washington has no interest in building a new type of great power relations with a country that lacks power to compete. Only when it realizes that confronting China costs more than cooperating will it mull over the latter option.