Editor's Note:
Four months ago, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said that Japan had registered one of the four islands near the Diaoyu Islands as a national asset. The move was seen another of Japan’s steps in its continual provocation against China’s sovereignty over the islands.
To worsen the issue, dozens of Japanese including several lawmakers landed on the Diaoyu Islands in early June. China, in response to this action, warned Japan of further moves that might harm the Sino-Japanese relations.
"The Diaoyu Islands and their adjacent islets have been inherent parts of Chinese territory since ancient times, and China has indisputable sovereignty over them," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said at a press briefing following the incident.
"Any unilateral action by Japan involving the Diaoyu Islands is illegal and invalid," said the spokesman.
"The Chinese side has lodged solemn representations to the Japanese side," said the spokesman, "which demand the Japanese side stop making new troubles and play its due part to maintain the overall situation of the relations between China and Japan."
The tension escalated as two Japanese right-wing activists went ashore on Beixiaodao, an islet of the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea on July 5.
Later on, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said his government was negotiating with a "private owner" to "nationalize" part of the "Senkaku Islands" (China's Diaoyu Islands). In response, China made a tougher stance over the issue by declaring that “the Chinese government will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the sovereign rights of the Diaoyu Islands and adjacent islets.”
Japan’s provocative plan to “buy” the Diaoyu Islands inflamed anti-Japanese sentiments among Chinese netizens, which undermined the public will for stronger bilateral ties.
In the latest development of the Diaoyu Islands dispute, China voiced its strong dissatisfaction over Japanese vessels’ interference with China’s official patrol of waters off the territory.
Following is a round-up of media reports on the Diaoyu Islands dispute.
Japan's Provocation
China's Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the landing of two Japanese citizens on the Diaoyu Islands has seriously violated China's territorial sovereignty. >>
"The illegal acts of the Japanese right-wingers have seriously violated China's territorial sovereignty. China has lodged a solemn representation and protest to the Japanese side." >>
Recently, 'farces' have been staged by the Japanese side on the issue of the Diaoyu Islands. After the far right-wing governor Shintaro Ishihara proposed to buy the Diaoyu Islands, the Japanese government joined him in the “purchase” bid. >>
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