State media doubts Japan's sincerity to ease tension over Diaoyu Islands

Beijing has adopted a cautious approach towards a trip by an envoy of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with state media expressing doubts about Tokyo's sincerity in seeking to ease bilateral tensions triggered by a territorial dispute.

The comment came after Abe said Japan had the right to decide whether to fly military planes over the disputed Diaoyu Islands, known as the Senkakus in Japan, contradicting a proposal by his envoy, Natsuo Yamaguchi, who arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a four-day visit.

Yamaguchi, head of New Komeito, a member of Japan's coalition government, said before leaving for China that he would propose that military planes from both countries should not get close to the disputed islands and that the territorial dispute be shelved, in addition to handing a letter from Abe to Communist Party chief Xi Jinping .

In an interview with Asahi TV on Tuesday night, Abe said the letter called for more communication between the two countries because bilateral exchanges had deteriorated. But he said Japan would act in accordance with international law when Chinese planes approached the islands, insisting their sovereignty was not disputed.

Abe also accused Beijing of allowing its citizens to attack Japanese businesses and nationals in China to further its political aims. Massive anti-Japanese protests erupted in major cities in mainland China in September, after Japan announced it would buy three of the islands.

A commentary in the overseas edition of the Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily yesterday said it was important for Abe to show sincerity.