Did you know that the first internet censorship in China, back in the 90ies was about those islands ?

Did you know that if she is Chinese and doesn't have unrestricted access to the internet, then she has no means of any such discussions as she only has the party narrative. 

Its hopeless man. My colleague is the same. China is the victim and there is a document to prove every claim. Every valid point you have is shut down by a mysterious document.

I dont even bother. People that dont have the power to think that theres even a small chance that the government would mislead them are hopeless and not worth your time. I save my energy for people that are actually inquisitive, and open to knew ideas. Anyone else. Your just arguing with a stone wall.

You could give her a million different articles written in chinese as proof and all of it will be bullshit to her. Just some guy who hates china in Hong Kong or something of the sort.

Seriously you can't be that naive? How long have you been here? She's just using you to practice English and she will tell you how evil you are on top of it while she sets you up for trouble. Wonderful. Don't be such a dumbass. You think you're going to 'educate' her? 

PS That book does not exist. Think about it, figure out why. 

Oh, man you are setting yourself up to hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.  Seriously this could cause a lot of trouble for you. Your colleague is setting you up. Guarantee it.

I smell a rat here. Why would she seek you out to discuss stuff like this in a language she does not understand well?  The only person I talk politics with in China is a foreign educated Chinese whom I have known for some time, and only then because he can understand my points and I can understand his.  With others the language skills and TRUST are not there.

There are few people i would trust here with a discussion about politics: if anyone tries it with me i respond with 'I'm not American so i wouldn't know much about American politics and you wouldn't understand my national politics'

It also sounds like your colleague is fishing (similar to the "what do you think about China?" question) for compliments about China.

Then as Bill8899 points out, you are a free English lesson.

Run away from this one. You will just end up frustrated.

Don't practice English with them unless they're paying you ;o)

Take the simple route - the strongest survives. China was built up through a series of wars - much like most of the world, into what it is today. If China really wants those islands, they'll have to fight for them (again), and if they lose, then they'll just have to - once and for all - let them go!

As for the US intervention - again, just part of war. If China doesn't like it, they they need to declare war on America as well!

In the immortal words of Admiral Ackbar, "It's a trap!!"

This colleague has been working with me for a year, and never tried to 'entrap' me in anything. We only touched on the topic of politics after she spoke about the Diary of Anne Frank. I brought it up. So thanks for volunteering your insights, guys, but I didn't explain the situation well enough, and a lot of these comments are based on incorrect assumptions.
I'm quite capable of being cynical myself; I wasn't looking for help with that.

You actually met a Chinese person who wanted to discuss issues of a political nature???

You lucky bastard!

I've never met one who wanted to discuss anything beyond whether or not I liked Chinese food.

I have often have political discussions with Chinese colleagues.

Lot's of politically savvy people here.