China on Thursday urged Japan to return to the track of dialogue and negotiation to solve issues relating to the Diaoyu Islands.

Hong Lei, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the comment at a regular press conference while commenting on a report stating that Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda will send a special envoy to China.

China has always insisted that issues concerning the Diaoyu Islands should be solved through dialogues and negotiations, Hong said, adding the Japanese side should take China's solemn demand seriously.

China will maintain communications with the Japanese sides at all levels and expound China's solemn stance on the Diaoyu Islands.

Hong stressed that the Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islets are China's inherent territory, a fact supported by historical and jurisprudential evidence. "Japan's moves infringed upon China's territory and sovereignty and are illegal in terms of international law."

As for a question on whether China will offer compensation for some Japanese enterprises' losses incurred during anti-Japan demonstrations and protests in China, Hong said relevant cases will be handled appropriately.