China reiterates Diaoyu Islands position

China reiterated its stance on the Diaoyu Islands in a meeting with a senior Japanese diplomat on Wednesday, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Wednesday.

Luo Zhaohui, director-general of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Department of Asian Affairs, met with Shinsuke Sugiyama, director-general of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau.

"China firmly demands that the Japanese government repeal its wrong decision to purchase the Diaoyu Islands," spokesman Hong Lei told a regular press briefing.

Hong reiterated that the Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islets are China's inherent territory. This is supported by historical facts and jurisprudential evidence. Japan's so-called "purchase" of them is totally illegal and invalid, and a move that China is firmly against.

"The Japanese side should not repeat its mistakes, and should pause on the brink of a precipice," he told reporters.

The Japanese side should immediately stop all actions that may undermine China's territorial sovereignty. It should come back to the understanding and consensus reached between the two sides, and should return to the track of negotiated settlement of the dispute, Hong added.

"China will take measures if necessary, according to the course of affairs, and resolutely safeguard national territory and sovereignty," he stressed.

Hong said the two China Marine Surveillance ships sent to demonstrate China's indisputable sovereignty over the islands will continue to cruise in the sea areas under China's jurisdiction.

Responding to the news that some Chinese tourists had canceled their travel plans to Japan and some bilateral exchange activities had likewise been canceled, the spokesman stressed that the current severe situation affecting bilateral ties was totally attributable to the Japanese side.

"China hopes to improve and develop relations with Japan; however, the problem is whether Japan will make concrete efforts and correct its mistakes," he said.

Hong also urged Japan to make joint efforts with China to create conditions for the improvement of bilateral relations.