Misperceptions root cause of frictions with China

Beijing's quarrels with Tokyo and Washington, whether about territorial disputes or so-called freedom of navigation, are essentially about international law.

But increasingly they are drifting away from the truth, causation of the matter, and international law. Increasingly they seem to be stuck in an endless loop of meaningless finger-pointing.

If they are to break free of that loop, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made some valid points on Tuesday that are worth deliberation.