'Absolute' support for Japan in Diaoyus monitoring

The United States will help Japan monitor Chinese moves near East China Sea islands held by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing.

That was the message from the commander of US forces in Japan yesterday as Chinese boats prepare to fish near the islands.

"The United States is 100-percent absolutely steadfast in its commitment to help the government of Japan," Lieutenant General Kevin Schneider said.

Chinese boats "would go in and out a couple of times a month,'' he said, but "now we are seeing them basically park and truly challenge Japan's administration."

The dispute over the islands known as Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan has simmered for years.

Beijing will likely end a fishing ban in the area around August 15, allowing a trawler fleet backed by a maritime militia, coast guard and the navy to move in, Schneider said.

Beijing reacted within an hour to Schneider, who also described China's actions as "aggressive and malign."

The foreign ministry said the islands are Chinese and called on "all parties to uphold stability in the region."

Japan hosts the biggest concentration of US forces in Asia, including an aircraft carrier group.