US Says Stance Unchanged on Diaoyu Islands

　　The U.S. State Department says the U.S. stance on the Diaoyu Islands has not changed.

 

　　State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki says U.S. maintains it is "not taking sides" on the sovereignty dispute.

 

　　"The United States does not take a position on the underlying¹ question of the ultimate sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands. And that remains² the U.S. government position."

 

　　Psaki's response comes after earlier comments made by U.S. Senator John McCain.

 

　　The veteran congressman³ has described the Diaoyu Islands as "Japanese territory" while speaking to reporter in Tokyo.

 

　　John McCain is also on record as calling on those countries feeling increasingly threatened by China's maritime⁴ presence to act in closer coordination⁵ with each other.

 

　　The Chinese government has since responded.

 

　　Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi is calling on the United States to correctly understand the situation with the Diaoyu Islands.

 

　　He also says the US needs to be cautious with its words and deeds.

 

　　Yang Jiechi has made the comments while meeting with visiting U.S. senators John McCain and Sheldon Whitehouse.

 

　　For his part, John McCain has told Yang Jiechi the United States does not take a position on the sovereignty of the islands.

1 underlying   

adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的

参考例句：

• The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。
• This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。

2 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

3 Congressman   

n.（美）国会议员

参考例句：

• He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

4 maritime   

adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的

参考例句：

• Many maritime people are fishermen.许多居于海滨的人是渔夫。
• The temperature change in winter is less in maritime areas.冬季沿海的温差较小。

5 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。