China opens website outlining claim on Diaoyu Islands

A Chinese website meant to prove the Diaoyu Islands' status as Chinese territory by publishing important historical records and legal documents came online on Tuesday, winning wide public support.

The website, www.diaoyudao.org.cn, run by the National Marine Data and Information Service, a government-funded institution under the State Oceanic Administration of China (SOA), features evidence proving the Diaoyu Islands' status as Chinese territory since ancient times, including historical records and international treaties.

"The Diaoyu Island and [their] affiliated islets are an inherent part of China's territory ... and China possesses undisputable sovereign rights over the islands," reads front page of the website, which also features a Chinese national flag.

The website also includes a catalogue of academic works written by both Chinese and Japanese scholars as well as information on patrols conducted by the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels in the territorial waters around the islands.

Later editions of the website will feature English, Japanese, French, German, Spanish, Russian and Arabic, according to the SOA.

Territorial disputes over the Diaoyu Islands have existed between China and Japan for many years. CCG patrols in the waters surrounding the Diaoyu Islands have been closely watched by the Japanese side.

Another patrol was conducted by three CCG vessels on Tuesday, according to a statement by the SOA.

China's Foreign Ministry has also made a response to questions on reports of two Chinese navy vessels sailing into waters as close as 70 kilometers away from the Diaoyu Islands in mid December.

The patrolling and training of Chinese navy vessels in relevant waters conform with international law and practices, said foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying.

"We hope relevant countries can respect the freedom of navigation and overflight that Chinese naval vessels and airplanes are entitled to," Hua said at a Tuesday press conference.

"The Diaoyu Islands and the affiliated islands are China's inherent territory. The patrolling of China's coastguard vessels in territorial waters off the Diaoyu Islands is exercising sovereignty in accordance with law and is an official act," Hua emphasized.

The launch of the website drew wide attention and support from the public and Chinese State media.

Online discussion of Sina Weibo on the launch of the website has got over 44.9 million hits as of press time.

"The website should have been opened earlier to spread our voices and demonstrate evidence to the whole world that the Diaoyu Islands belong to China," wrote a Net user.

"Chinese authorities are fully utilizing Internet to let people at home and abroad better understand the historical background on the disputes between China and Japan over the Diaoyu Islands," Jia Yuanliang, head of War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression Culture Foundation, told the Global Times.

This is a crucial way to safeguard the victory of World War II, Jia added.