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INTRO
First the latest on the territorial dispute between China and Japan over islands in the East China Sea claimed by both.
Beijing says it still hopes to resolve the row through dialogue - but remains resolute in defending its sovereignty...
With the Foreign Ministry maintaining that China's naval patrols, are within its jurisdiction.
When asked whether China's sovereignty dispute with Japan will lead to war, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Hong Lei, simply said Beijing is maintaining communication with Tokyo...
And urging Japan to show sincerity in working with China, to resolve the dispute peacefully.
But Hong also slammed an early statement by Tokyo that China is increasing its presence in so-called "Japanese waters and airspaces".
He said China's patrol around what it calls the Diaoyu Islands, are within its jurisdiction and necessary in safeguarding its sovereignty.
Hong also reiterated China's stance that Japan's claim to the islands - taken by force in the Sino-Japanese war - is unlawful...
SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) HONG LEI, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman:
"China has always opposed any action by Japan over the Diaoyu Islands that undermines China's sovereignty. And Japan's so-called "existence on," or "control of," the relevant sea area, is illegal and invalid."
Tensions over the tiny islands have flared in recent months, plunging ties between China and Japan to a new low.
Complicating the issue is a security pact obliging Washington to come to Japan's defense....
At a joint news conference with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday in Washington, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton assured the longtime ally of U.S. support.
SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) HILARY CLINTON, US Secretary of State:
"As I've said many times before, although the United States does not take a position on the ultimate sovereignty of the islands, we acknowledge they are under the administration of Japan and we oppose any unilateral actions that would seek to undermine Japanese administration and we urge all parties to take steps to prevent incidents and manage disagreements through peaceful means."
The remarks sparked strong opposition from Beijing...
The Foreign Ministry Spokesman said the comments were ignorant of facts and that Washington should be, quote, "careful in words - and cautious in actions."
On Tuesday, Japan's New Komeito party leader, Natsuo Yamaguchi, began his four-day trip to Beijing, to mend bilateral ties... He is reported to pass messages from Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, to Chinese leaders.
