Japan urged to face up to change on Diaoyu issue

Tokyo's hard-line approach blocks progress in dialogue with Beijing

Beijing on Wednesday told Tokyo to face up to a major change in the Diaoyu Islands' situation, as Japan announced that Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda will elaborate on the country's territorial disputes at next week's Asia-Europe Meeting.

Observers said Japan's hard-line gestures and rhetoric on the heated islands dispute have not led to any major progress in its dialogue with Beijing, and publicity on the international stage will drag Tokyo deeper into deadlocked diplomacy with its neighbors.