Beijing rejects protest over patrol (2)

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Tensions flared in autumn last year when Japan illegally "nationalized" part of the Diaoyu Islands. For months, aircraft and ships from both countries patrolled the Diaoyu Islands.

Huang added, "Tokyo claimed it wanted to seek a summit with Beijing to ease the tensions, but on the other hand it has flexed its muscles and is lobbying other countries to jointly counter China."

Tokyo is considering a possible overhaul of the pacifist Constitution imposed on Japan after World War II, irritating Japan's neighbors, who suffered during the conflict.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has sent several advisers to Beijing in recent months, but rejected any conditions for talks, while China has denied that discussions on a possible summit are taking place.

Huang said: "As Japan continues to deny the existence of the territorial dispute over the Diaoyu Islands, it is impossible for the two countries to have a summit at the moment.

"And Beijing has to prove its right to the islands, as well as the existence of the territorial issue, in this way," he added, referring to the patrols by Chinese ships.

It is also possible that Beijing is expressing its dissatisfaction toward Tokyo's "double-faced approach", he said.

If the impasse continues, China will continue to strengthen its presence around the islands, Huang said.

"As there is no chance of talks, we have to speak with strength."

Both sides will show restraint if there is the prospect of talks, he said.

Huo Jiangang, a researcher on Japanese studies with the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said the Chinese vessels' stay at the islands was not driven by any particular reason.

"It is Chinese territory, so there is nothing special about Chinese ships staying there," he said.

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