The Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea have been Chinese territory since ancient times based on "indisputable legal basis," the Foreign Ministry reiterated yesterday.

"This is China's solemn position," spokesman Qin Gang said.

He made the remarks after the Japanese Government said it had ordered schoolbook publishers to state clearly in their texts that the islands are part of Japanese territory.

Sino-Japanese relations are at their lowest ebb because of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's repeated visits to the Yasukuni Shrine that worships war criminals of World War II.

However, Japanese people on the whole seem keen on harmonious relations with China.

According to a survey released by the Japanese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, an overwhelming 77.9 per cent of respondents said bilateral ties should be improved.

Asked what they thought were stumbling blocks, 58.9 per cent cited issues related to the country's war past, such as Koizumi's shrine visits and Japanese textbooks that distort history.

On the brighter side, President Hu Jintao will meet the heads of seven Japan-China friendship organizations including former Japanese prime minister Ryutaro Hashimoto in Beijing today.

"The visit signifies the positive attitude China has on promoting Sino-Japanese friendly exchanges and co-operation," Qin said.

He also expressed dissatisfaction over groundless remarks by Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, who said in a recent campaign rally that China "boiled babies for fertilizer in Mao's (Zedong) era."

Qin asked the Italian leader, who is running in an April 9-10 election, to pay attention to his words and actions.

(China Daily 03/31/2006 page1)