Abe claims China is 'changing status quo'

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has unleashed a new round of provocative rhetoric concerning the strained ties with China. To the surprise of many, he says China is trying to change the status quo with regard to the Diaoyu Islands by means of power.

Abe made the defiant remarks during an interview with Fuji TV on Sunday morning. The Chinese government has made it clear that it's the country's legal rights to develop extractive industries for oil and gas within its territorial sea. But Able groundlessly accused China of expanding its sovereignty claims in these areas.

Also in the same interview, Abe showed no signs of remorse over Japan's war of aggression. He has also refused to take a stand on Japanese aggression against China and other Asian countries during World War II.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has solemnly condemned his attitude repeatedly, saying respect for the history is the precondition to improving ties. The Ministry has also urged Abe and other Japanese politicians to face up to the aggression history to avoid further strain ties with its Asian neighbors.