Japan proposes to rename Senkaku Islands, China objects

Xinhua News Agency reported that on December 4, China affirmed that a Japanese mayor's proposal to change the name of the Diaoyu Islands (called Senkaku in Japan) would not change the fact that the islands belong to China.

Disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. (Source: AP/THX)

At a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang stressed: "The Diaoyu Islands and the adjacent islets have always been an inherent part of Chinese territory, and China has an unshakable determination to safeguard its sovereignty. Any tricks Japan uses will not change the fact that the Diaoyu Islands belong to China."

In addition, Mr. Geng Shuang also called on the Japanese side to "face up to history and reality, stop making trouble on this issue and avoid harming the improvement of bilateral relations".

Japanese media reported earlier the same day that Ishigaki Mayor Yoshitaka Nakayama plans to submit a proposal to the City Council on December 4 to change the name of the islands from "Tonoshiro, Ishigaki City" to "Tonoshiro Senkaku, Ishigaki City"./

According to Vietnam+