China tried Tuesday to lower expectations for talks with Japan over competing claims on territory in the East China Sea, warning not to expect any breakthroughs.

A Chinese gas platform in the East China Sea. [AFP]

The talks - the fifth in a string of meetings on the East China Sea deposits - will take place Thursday in Tokyo between officials of the Japanese and Chinese foreign ministries, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.

"We do not expect any breakthrough progress in this round of talks but we will continue our contact with Japan," Liu said at a regular press briefing.

The dispute over gas reserves believed to lie under a section of sea bed claimed by both governments has strained relations between Tokyo and Beijing.

China claims it has rights to the gas reserves, but Tokyo says the two countries should share them. Repeated meetings between both countries aimed at resolving the dispute have ended in disagreement.