BEIJING, April 19 -- China on Tuesday blasted Japan over its claims that a new collection of documents "proved" its sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks in response to recent reports covering the claim by the Japanese government that it had collected 750 pieces of documents showing the Diaoyu Islands were an integral part of Japan's territory.

"Although Japan tried its utmost to find some supportive documents, which were taken out of context, it can never change the fact that China has sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands," Hua said.

Hua stressed that the Diaoyu Island and affiliated islets are part of China's inherent territory, a fact supported by historical and jurisprudential evidence.

Prior to the first Sino-Japanese War, maps by Western countries widely described the Diaoyu Islands as belonging to China, she said.

Japan colonized Taiwan and its affiliated islands, including the Diaoyu Islands, after the Sino-Japanese war in 1894, and the Diaoyu Islands were given back to China following international legal instruments after the World War II, Hua said.