US rapped for stance on Japan

Washington accused by Beijing of sending 'wrong signals' over Diaoyu Islands issue

Beijing has urged Washington to "stop sending wrong signals" after US President Barack Obama backed Japan's claim over China's Diaoyu Islands and accused China of "flexing its muscles" in the South China Sea.

Obama made the comment at a joint news conference with visiting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was due to become the first postwar Japanese premier to address a joint meeting of the US Congress on Wednesday.