China says U.S. denies plan with Japan over disputed islands

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China says U.S. denies plan with Japan over disputed islands

(Xinhua) 20:23, November 01, 2013

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BEIJING, Nov. 1 -- The United States has clarified reports about a U.S.-Japan joint military plan relating to disputed islands in the East China Sea, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Friday.

Hua Chunying told a regular press briefing, "China has noticed relevant reports, and the U.S. side has given clarification to the Chinese side and said the Japanese reports were not in line with the fact."

Nikkei News reported on Oct. 25 that Japan and the United States had drawn up a plan to jointly "recapture" the Diaoyu Islands if they were taken away.

The Diaoyu Islands, called the Senkaku Islands by Japan, have been Chinese territory but were covertly taken by Japan after the 1894-1895 Sino-Japanese War.

The Japanese government's plan in September 2012 to "purchase" part of the islands from private owners and "nationalize" them sparked fierce opposition from China and deteriorated Sino-Japanese relations.

（Editor：DuMingming、Zhang Qian）