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| Japan says 'no dispute' exists on islands anniversary | Japan says 'no dispute' exists on islands anniversary |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Japan tightened security around disputed islands and restated its ownership of the chain, a year after its nationalisation of the islands triggered a bitter row with China. | Japan tightened security around disputed islands and restated its ownership of the chain, a year after its nationalisation of the islands triggered a bitter row with China. |
| Tensions remain high with Beijing, which sent several coastguard boats to patrol around the islands on Tuesday. | Tensions remain high with Beijing, which sent several coastguard boats to patrol around the islands on Tuesday. |
| Japan bought the islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, from their private owner a year ago. | Japan bought the islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, from their private owner a year ago. |
| China has described the purchase as invalid. | China has described the purchase as invalid. |
| It says it has conducted 59 patrols near the islands since then - its vessels sailing in and out of what Japan says are its territorial waters. | It says it has conducted 59 patrols near the islands since then - its vessels sailing in and out of what Japan says are its territorial waters. |
| On Wednesday, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga reiterated Japan's claim to the islands. | On Wednesday, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga reiterated Japan's claim to the islands. |
| "It has been evident [the islands] are Japan's territory. We will maintain absolutely the same position that no dispute [officially] exists," he said. | "It has been evident [the islands] are Japan's territory. We will maintain absolutely the same position that no dispute [officially] exists," he said. |
| Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said surveillance had been increased in the islands' area but gave no details, the Associated Press news agency reported. | Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said surveillance had been increased in the islands' area but gave no details, the Associated Press news agency reported. |
| Coastguard official Yuma Miyako, meanwhile, told AFP that the agency was on "high alert" for the anniversary. | Coastguard official Yuma Miyako, meanwhile, told AFP that the agency was on "high alert" for the anniversary. |
| "We are preventing Chinese official ships from entering our territorial waters, with our ships sailing very close to the Chinese ships," the official said. | "We are preventing Chinese official ships from entering our territorial waters, with our ships sailing very close to the Chinese ships," the official said. |
| 'Chinese drone' | 'Chinese drone' |
| China sent several coastguard boats to patrol around the islands on Tuesday, prompting Japan to summon Beijing's ambassador in Tokyo in protest. | China sent several coastguard boats to patrol around the islands on Tuesday, prompting Japan to summon Beijing's ambassador in Tokyo in protest. |
| Mr Suga also said on Tuesday that Tokyo was considering stationing civil servants on the islands as an option, prompting an angry response from Beijing. | Mr Suga also said on Tuesday that Tokyo was considering stationing civil servants on the islands as an option, prompting an angry response from Beijing. |
| "China's resolve to defend the sovereignty of the Diaoyu islands is firm," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said. | "China's resolve to defend the sovereignty of the Diaoyu islands is firm," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said. |
| "The Japanese side must be prepared to bear the consequences of this provocation." | "The Japanese side must be prepared to bear the consequences of this provocation." |
| Chinese press also marked the anniversary with opinion pieces lauding China's patrols. | Chinese press also marked the anniversary with opinion pieces lauding China's patrols. |
| "On the 'one year anniversary' since Japan staged its 'purchase' of the Diaoyu islands, implementing it's so-called 'nationalisation' farce, the Chinese coastguard's patrols have shown the government's determination and resolute attitude to protect our maritime rights," People's Daily said. | "On the 'one year anniversary' since Japan staged its 'purchase' of the Diaoyu islands, implementing it's so-called 'nationalisation' farce, the Chinese coastguard's patrols have shown the government's determination and resolute attitude to protect our maritime rights," People's Daily said. |
| "China needs to grasp the opportunity to convince more people worldwide of the dangerous motives of the Japanese right," an opinion piece published by Global Times said. | "China needs to grasp the opportunity to convince more people worldwide of the dangerous motives of the Japanese right," an opinion piece published by Global Times said. |
| On Monday, a plane thought to be a Chinese drone was spotted in international airspace near the islands, prompting concerns from Japan. | On Monday, a plane thought to be a Chinese drone was spotted in international airspace near the islands, prompting concerns from Japan. |
| The chain of islands lies east of the Chinese mainland and southwest of Japan's Okinawa island. | |
| They are close to strategically important shipping lanes and offer rich fishing grounds. | They are close to strategically important shipping lanes and offer rich fishing grounds. |