China calls on Japan for dialogue on islands

China calls on Japan to engage in dialogue and negotiations to resolve issues related to the Senkaku Islands sovereignty dispute.

China on September 20 called on Japan to engage in dialogue and negotiations to resolve issues related to the sovereignty dispute over the Diaoyu Islands (called Senkaku by Japan) in the East China Sea.

Chinese patrol ship (right) encounters Japanese patrol ship in waters near Senkaku Islands

Speaking at a regular press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei stressed that Beijing has always maintained that the issue related to the Diaoyu Islands must be resolved through dialogue and negotiations. China will also maintain communication with the Japanese side at all levels and explain China's official stance.

Meanwhile, Kyodo news agency (Japan) quoted an anonymous source saying that China will hold a ceremony to celebrate the 40th anniversary of normalizing relations with Japan on September 29 in Beijing as planned.

According to the source, former State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, who is currently the President of the China-Japan Friendship Association, will host a reception on September 26 and the official celebration will be held at noon on September 27.

In a related development, the Nihon Keizai newspaper (Japan) on September 20 quoted Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura as saying that Tokyo will ask Beijing to compensate for damages at Japanese diplomatic missions in China caused by Chinese protesters.

Mr. Fujimura also said that compensation claims by Japanese businesses in China need to be handled through Chinese legal channels./.

According to VNA-M