Q: What is China's comment on the written reply about the Diaoyu Islands and the Yasukuni Shrine issued by the Japanese government on November 21?
A: The Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands have been an inherent part of China since ancient times, over which the Chinese side has indisputable sovereignty. The Chinese government is resolute and firm in safeguarding national territorial sovereignty. We request the Japanese side to stop all forms of actions undermining China's territorial sovereignty. The Chinese side is firmly opposed to any form of visits by the Japanese leaders to the Yasukuni Shrine which enshrines the Class-A WWII criminals and beautifies the war of aggression. The Japanese side should earnestly face up to and deeply reflect upon the history of aggression.
We urge the Japanese side to honor its commitment, demonstrate its sincerity, take concrete actions to uphold and implement the four-point principled agreement, properly deal with the prominent problems in relations between China and Japan and strive to improve and develop the bilateral relationship.