The US acknowledges Japan’s sovereignty over the Okinawa island, said US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Patric Ventrell. The announcement followed the People's Daily of China's Communist Party carrying an article that called for a review of Japan’s sovereignty over the island. Japan strongly protested about this article. Observers say this is China’s new step to put more pressure on Japan over the Senkaku or Diaoyu archipelago issue.   

Ventrell said the US will maintain its neutral stance on the Senkaku/Diaoyu territorial disputes.