Japan considers buying disputed islands: PM

July 08, 2012 00:22

Japan is considering buying a chain of islands at the centre of a bitter territorial dispute with China and Taiwan, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has said, sparking an angry response from Beijing.

The islands in the East China Sea are called Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese.

"There is no question that the Senkakus are an integral part of our country's territory in terms of history and international law," Noda told media persons.

"There exists no territorial issue or ownership issue as Japan is in effective control of the islands.

"From the viewpoint of how to maintain and manage the Senkakus in a calm and stable manner, we are making comprehensive studies on the matter by keeping in touch with the owner."

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said Japan had no right to purchase the islands.

"The Chinese government will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the sovereign rights of the Diaoyu Islands and adjacent islets," he said according to the Xinhua state news agency.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Mumbai Indians refuses to rest Bumrah

Mumbai Indians have no plans to rest ace India pacer Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the T20 World Cup

Waiting for...: US on India's probe into Pannun murder plot

The United States is waiting to see the results of the Indian investigations on the murder allegations.

Modi hails EC for 'violence-free' LS polls in first 2 phases

Modi also said the way the Indian elections are being conducted could be a learning process for other democracies.

Has Joe Biden Lost Interest In India?

Had it not been for the slow but sure emergence of China as a threat to the western order, would India have been accepted as a near-equal partner by individual western nations, jointly and severally, questions N Sathiya Moorthy.

Jagan Reddy, Chandrababu Naidu censured for flouting poll code

The poll body recognised that both the leaders have violated the provisions of the MCC by attacking each other with derogatory personal attacks during public addresses while electioneering in the southern state over the past several days.