[h=1]China: No concession on Diaoyu Islands[/h]
The Japan Broadcasting Corporation says the Japanese government has signed a purchase contract for the Diaoyu Islands with the Kurihara family, who claim to be the current "private owners". China says the Diaoyu Islands are an inalienable part of China’s territory and China will make no concession on issues concerning its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Japan signs purchase contract
The Japanese Cabinet announced on Tuesday that it would disburse reserve funds to purchase part of China’s Diaoyu Islands.
The Japanese government will pay two billion yen or 26 million U.S. dollars to the Kurihara family, which claims to own the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura announced on Monday afternoon that the central government had reached a final agreement with the Kurihara family to buy three of the five uninhabited islands. He said the government hopes the purchase will not undermine overall bilateral relations with China.
Meanwhile, according to the Kyodo News Agency, the Japanese Foreign Ministry is sending its Asia Bureau Director-General to China. He’s expected to hold talks with the Chinese government on the Diaoyu issue.
Demonstrating China’s undisputable sovereignty over the islands, two ships of the China Marine Surveillance reached the waters around the Diaoyu Islands on Tuesday morning to assert the country’s sovereignty.
The maritime agency has drafted an action plan to safeguard sovereignty and will take actions pending the development of the situation.
China announces baselines of Diaoyu Islands
The Chinese government has also announced the base points and baselines of the territorial waters of the Diaoyu Islands, in accordance with China’s law on territorial seas and adjacent zones.
China begins weather forecasts for Diaoyu Islands
Meanwhile, China’s National oceanic forecast station will begin weather forecasts for regions near the Diaoyu Islands, beginning on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Defense Minister Spokesman Geng Yansheng responded to the illegal action. He said the Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islets have been inherent territory of China since ancient times, backed by historical and legal evidence. He said the Japanese government’s so-called "purchase" of the islands and other unilateral actions are illegal and invalid. The Chinese army firmly opposes and strongly protests Japan’s action.
China’s Foreign Ministry issues statement
Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry issued a strongly worded statement after the Japanese government announced its plan to buy the islands.
At a daily press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the Chinese government will stand firm in defending the sovereignty and integrity of its territory.
Hong Lei, Spokesman of Chinese Foreign Ministry, said, "China’s sovereignty over the Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islets are historically proved and legally protected. The Chinese government does not tolerate any actions that violate its territorial sovereignty and integrity. We will take necessary measures to defend our territory as the situation develops. We strongly urge the Japanese side to drop the wrong actions and return to talks and negotiations. A healthy and stable China-Japan relationship should be based on efforts from both sides. The Japanese attempts to ’purchase’ the Diaoyu Islands has totally violated that principle."
Chinese President Hu Jintao on Diaoyu Islands
Chinese President Hu Jintao, during his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on the sidelines of the APEC Leaders’ Meeting, made clear China’s position on relations with Japan and on the Diaoyu Islands issue.
He said any means Japan uses to "purchase the islands" are illegal and invalid and China firmly opposes such moves. The Chinese government stands firm on the issue of safeguarding its territorial sovereignty. And he said Japan must fully recognize the gravity of the situation and should not make wrong decisions.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Diaoyu Islands
Meanwhile, at an inauguration ceremony for statue of late Chinese leaders Zhou Enlai and Chen Yi at the China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing, Premier Wen Jiabao said China will make absolutely no concession on issues concerning its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Chinese government and its people cherish their country’s hard-won national sovereignty and dignity more than anybody.
Observers say Japan should recognize the severity of the issue, correct its wrong-doings and return to the right track.