Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Jianchao issued a strongly worded request on Sunday for Japan to "treat calmly" Chinese citizens who are on their way to the disputed Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea to declare Chinese sovereignty over them.

China has said in no uncertain terms that Japan is not to take any actions that might jeopardize their safety.

He said that the Diaoyu Islands have always been part of Chinese territory and China has indisputable rights over them. He stressed that the Chinese government is unswerving in its will and determination to safeguard the sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands and attached islets.

"China has always proposed to resolve the dispute through negotiations," Liu added.

(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2006)