China opposes Japan's Diaoyu claim

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Friday reiterated China's position on the Diaoyu Islands, expressing "strong dissatisfaction" with Japan's latest move to claim the islands.

Spokesperson Hua Chunying was responding to media reports that the Japanese government had opened an exhibition in Tokyo on Thursday to showcase Japan's claim for the islands, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islets have been Chinese territory since ancient times," Hua was quoted as saying.

Hua added that ample historical and legal evidence proves China's sovereignty over the islands.

"China is strongly dissatisfied with Japan's move," Hua said, referring to the exhibition.

She said that nothing the Japanese side did would ever change the fact that the islands belong to China.

"China's resolve to safeguard sovereignty over the islands is steadfast," she said.

--IANS

sku/