China: patrols around disputing island is common practice

INTRO

Now, the latest on the territorial dispute between China and Japan over the Islands in the East China Sea - known as 'Diaoyu' in Chinese and 'Senkaku' in Japanese.

Beijing maintains that China opposes any infringement of its sovereignty by Japanese aircrafts or vessels... After Japan warned they could open fire, to deter Chinese patrols.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hong Lei, hit back at alleged reports that Japan could allow warning shots to be fired, should Chinese patrols around these Islands get too close.

Hong reiterated that China's historical sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands...

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) HONG LEI, Foreign Ministry Spokesman:

"The Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islets have always been China's inherent territory. Patrols conducted by Chinese planes and ships in waters off the islands represent normal administrative activities for the purpose of exercising jurisdiction."

Under Japan's security pact with America, Washington could get involved...

But when asked about a conversation held between the defense ministers of Japan and the United States, Hong said China has always advocated solving territorial disputes by negotiation...

And warned any attempts by Japan to draw in a third party to confront China, will be in vain.

Their dispute began in September, when Tokyo claimed it had "bought" the Islands from a private party... Islands China claims have been its territory, since ancient times.

In recent weeks, tension over the Diaoyu Islands has flared up again, following increasingly close patrols, by both sides.