China: Japan 'purchase' of Diaoyu Islands invalid

A spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry says China will take necessary steps to safeguard the Diaoyu Islands. The spokesman made the remarks Monday afternoon after the Japanese government officially announced its decision to purchase part of China's Diaoyu Islands from its self-proclaimed owner.

Tensions between China and Japan over the Diaoyu Islands escalated, as both sides entrenched their positions on Monday afternoon.

Hong Lei, spokesman of Chinese Foreign Ministry, said, "Any unilateral action taken by Japan is considered illegal and invalid. The Chinese government's determination to safeguard the sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands is firm. China will closely watch the development of the situation and take necessary means to safeguard its territorial sovereignty."

Earlier, the Japanese government officially decided to purchase China's Diaoyu Islands from its self-claimed Japanese owners. Japan plans to buy three of the five uninhabited islands with more than 26 million US dollars. The government could sign a buying contract as early Tuesday. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda did not attend this afternoon's cabinet meeting.

Over the weekend in Russia before the APEC leaders' meeting, President Hu Jintao told Japanese Prime Minister Noda that the Chinese government's determination and will to defend its territorial sovereignty is unswerving. He urged Japan to "be fully aware of the seriousness of the situation and not to make the wrong decision".