FM reiterates China's solemn position on Diaoyu Islands

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Tuesday met here with his Japanese counterpart, Koichiro Gemba, and reiterated China's position on the Diaoyu Islands, which have been Chinese territory since ancient times.

During a meeting requested by Gemba, Yang pointed out that regardless of China's stern representations and strong opposition, the Japanese side insisted on implementing the so-called "nationalization" of China's Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands.

The Japanese move was a gross violation of China's territorial integrity and sovereignty, an outright denial of the outcomes of victory of the world anti-fascist war and a grave challenge to the post-war international order, he said.

Japan's move has aroused strong indignation among the 1.3 billion Chinese people, Yang said. "The Chinese side will by no means tolerate any unilateral actions by the Japanese side on the Diaoyu Islands. China will continue to take firm measures to safeguard its territorial integrity and sovereignty."

Yang emphasized that the current tensions were initiated by the Japanese side and that Tokyo must take full responsibility for what it has done.

The Japanese side must face reality and stop having illusions, and take concrete measures to correct its mistakes and stop all activities that undermine China's territorial integrity and sovereignty, Yang said.

Only in this way can China-Japan relations return to the track of sound and steady development, said Yang.

At the meeting, both sides promised they would maintain consultations on the issue of Diaoyu Islands and on bilateral relations.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the general debate of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly, which opened here Tuesday morning.