Chinese ships will continue Diaoyu patrols

BEIJING - Chinese marine surveillance ships and?fishery patrol ships will continue to perform their official duties in waters near the Diaoyu Islands, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Monday.

Hong said at a regular press briefing that the waters off the Diaoyu Islands are under China's jurisdiction.

Fishery authorities said Saturday that five fishery patrol ships were in the area during the National Day holiday to continue their patrol missions. Four Chinese marine surveillance ships arrived in the waters?last Tuesday.

Regarding Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba's recent statement that the Japanese government hopes to resume talks with Taiwan on fishing in the waters, Hong said the Japanese government should strictly comply with the one-China principle and properly handle relevant issues.

Hong said he noted that the United States has said it takes no position on the China-Japan territorial dispute and hopes the US side will "walk the talk."

He once again urged the Japanese side to correct its mistakes and return to negotiations to resolve the dispute.

Responding to a question concerning Chinese naval activities, Hong said safeguarding the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests is the Chinese military's sacred duty.