Kurt Campbell gave a report on the situation to the US Senate. (Internet photo)

US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell said on Sept. 20 that the world cannot afford a potential clash between China and Japan over disputed islands in the East China Sea.

Campbell said the United States will stay neutral in the sovereignty issue but that the US does recognize Japan's jurisdiction over the islands, known as Senkaku to Japan and Diaoyu to China. "Nobody can afford any potential clashes in this region," he said.

The assistant secretary made his remarks in a hearing at the US Senate. He said that it is the US hope to maintain security and stability in the region for now.

Campbell noted in his report to the Senate that anti-Japanese riots have been reported in China after the Japanese government decided on Sept. 11 to nationalize three of the disputed islands and that tensions between China and Japan have increased considerably. The assistant secretary said the State Department was paying close attention to the situation and will continue its efforts to try to ease the tension.

The islands are also claimed by Taiwan, which refers to them as the Diaoyutai islands.