The armed forces of China said on Tuesday that it "reserves the right" to take action on the Diaoyu Islands after the Japanese government blatantly announced on Sept. 10 to "purchase" three of the islands, which belong to China.

Ships of  China Marine Surveillance [file photo]

Two ships of China Marine Surveillance (CMS) have reached the waters around islands, in the East China Sea, to assert the country's sovereignty.

Beijing also announced plans to implement normal surveillance and monitoring of the islands.

The Japanese government on Tuesday "purchased" the three islands for 2.05 billion yen ($26.18 million) from the Kurihara family, who are claimed by the Japanese side as the "private owner" of the islands, Japan's NHK television reported.

The signing of the contract came shortly after the Japanese cabinet's decision earlier in the day to disburse reserve funds to "purchase" part of the islands.

Shinsuke Sugiyama, director-general of the Asian and Oceania Affairs Bureau at the Japanese Foreign Ministry, arrived in Beijing on Tuesday afternoon for urgent talks to "avoid misunderstanding and lack of explanation on the issue''.

But Chinese experts said the move proves that Tokyo has shown no sincerity in finding a resolution, China Daily reported.