Chinese Foreign Ministry has protested against Japan's "unreasonable" repelling of people from Hong Kong who tried to sail to and declare Chinese sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea.

 

An official in charge of Asian affairs reiterated Chinese government's stance on the issue of the islands when meeting with Japanese embassy officials on Friday, the ministry said.

 

"China had demanded through diplomatic channels that Japan should not take any action that may endanger those Chinese citizens and their vessel...?and its illegal and tough actions have injured the Chinese citizens and damaged their ship. We protest against this move of Japan," the official said.

 

A group of?people from Hong Kong?started their voyage to the Diaoyu Islands on Oct. 22 in an aim to land on it and erect Chinese flags, but they had to retreat after Japanese ships rammed and hosed water onto their vessel.

 

The Diaoyu Islands and adjacent islets have been Chinese territory since ancient times and China has incontestable historical and legal evidence on this, the Chinese official said, adding that it is completely legitimate for the Chinese citizens to declare such sovereignty.

 

The so-called "actual control" of the Diaoyu Islands by Japan severely infringes upon?China's sovereignty, the official said.

 

He said that China will never accept the so-called "actual control" and "enforcement right" of Japan over the islands.

 

China hopes Japan can treat China's stance and concerns on the issue seriously and handle relevant matters properly to help improve bilateral relations.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 28, 2006)