Tokyo up to another trick

The inspection of three of China's Diaoyu Islands by 25 Japanese nationals is undoubtedly a new provocation by Tokyo.

The inspection by Tokyo metropolitan government officials, a real estate appraiser and marine policy researchers was said to be aimed at finding ways to use the three isles as possible sites for marine facilities.

When Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda sent his emissary to Beijing last week, China took it seriously, especially because Japan said it was trying to prevent bilateral ties from deteriorating further. But the Tokyo metropolitan government's latest move has raised a big question mark on the issue.