China Tells Japan to 'Abandon Illusion' over Territory
China told Japan on Tuesday it "must abandon any illusion" it has over a territorial dispute as the two sides held high-level talks over rival claims to East China Sea islands.
Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun said China "will absolutely not tolerate any unilateral action taken by the Japanese side that infringes on China's territorial sovereignty", according to a ministry statement.
"The Japanese side must abandon any illusion, face up to its erroneous actions and correct them with credible steps", Zhang said at the talks, attended by Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Chikao Kawai.
The discussions in Beijing over the long-simmering dispute that reignited last month came after weeks of rising tensions culminated in a series of street protests across China against Japan's claim to the islands.
Some Japanese companies, including Panasonic and Honda, were forced to temporarily cease production last week. China calls the islands Diaoyu and Japan -- which controls them -- refers to them as Senkaku.
China's foreign ministry described the discussions as "candid" and said the two sides agreed to keep talking about the issue, though cautioned that the responsibility for progress rests with Tokyo.
Japan should "meet China half way so as to bring China-Japan relations back onto the right track of sound and stable growth at an early date", the foreign ministry added, saying Tokyo "should recommit itself to the consensus and understanding reached between the leaders of the two countries".
China appeared to be encouraging Japan to return to the situation that has largely governed the decades-long dispute whereby provocations leading to an escalation of tensions are avoided.
China added that the two countries "agreed to maintain consultations" on the issue, though provided no details about further discussions.
Source: Agence France Presse
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