Last year, countries such as Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam have staged one scenario after another to challenge China's sovereignty over its islets and waters in the East and South China seas. The Philippines and Vietnam have tried to strengthen cooperation with the United States in the military field. Japan has also been counting on the support of the US, cajoling US officials to assure the country that the US-Japan security pact covers the Diaoyu Islands.

To seek confrontation with China over the Diaoyu Islands, Japan has sent warplanes to the disputed area while its rightist activists seize every opportunity to try to build up Japan's military muscle and break the limits of the country's pacifist constitution. If Japan continues to turn right, the world may not need to wait for too long before Japan tramples over its pacifist constitution.

These provocative moves have raised tensions in the waters and the region at large. It paints a gloomy picture for China's security environment, so it is right that it responds to these new challenges in a timely and effective fashion.

As the world's second-largest economy, China is justified in heightening the capabilities of its defense forces, the navy in particular, as its naval capabilities have fallen far behind the country's security needs. Amid rising tensions in the East and South China seas, the navy now faces growing calls for it to play a bigger role in defending the country's lands and waters and interests overseas.

There is no denying that a stronger China will deter possible threats, and the country will be better positioned to contribute to regional and world peace and stability.

The country's rising economic clout has prompted many in the international community to urge China to play a bigger role on the world stage. Hence, it is absurd to ask China to shoulder more international responsibilities on the one hand while criticizing its endeavors to become stronger on the other.

The author is a senior writer with China Daily. E-mail: wanghui@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 01/30/2013 page8)