"The Japanese side has continued to take negative acts on the Diaoyu Islands issue for a period of time, and organized its Self Defense Force planes to interrupt Chinese planes' normal flights. Such moves, which highlight military implications and create tensions, go against the trend that all the nations in the region should peacefully solve conflicts through talks."

 

　　However, Hong Lei also notes that China and Japan have "maintained contact on the issue," and that China holds a firm stance on safeguarding territorial sovereignty.

 

　　Relations between the two countries have soured since 2012 when the Japanese government said it would "purchase" part of the Islands in the East China Sea.

 

　　China insists the islands are part of its inherent territory.