China reiterates its sovereignty over Diaoyu Islands after Tokyo exhibition

China reiterated its sovereignty over Diaoyu Islands, saying Japan's behavior will not alter the fact that the islands belong to China.

China is "strongly dissatisfied" by the Japanese government's act of claiming so-called "sovereignty" over Diaoyu Islands, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Friday.

The Japanese government opened an exhibition in Tokyo on Thursday to promote the idea that the islands are "Japan's inherent territory", Kyodo News reported.

"Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islets have been China's inherent territory since ancient times. China's sovereignty over the islands has an ample historical and legal basis," Hua refuted.

"What Japan does will not change one bit the fact that Diaoyu Islands belong to China. China is firmly determined to safeguard its sovereignty over the islands," Hua said.