US-Japan statement on Diaoyus draws protest

Beijing says Tokyo promoting 'illegal territorial claim' via security treaty

Beijing issued a stern protest on Monday over a US-Japan statement that puts China's Diaoyu Islands under the US security umbrella, and analysts said the protest targets Japan's impulse to hype China's threat and boost its defense capabilities.

Observers said a major conflict is unlikely around the islands in the near future and the United States probably would not come to Japan's aid if a conflict did occur.