Diaoyu Dao, an Inherent Territory of China

A reader from Zhangjiakou in Hebei province looks at the Map of Diaoyu Dao and the Affiliated Islands of the People's Republic of China at Beijing Books Building on Sept 21. The map is the most detailed so far with these islands' baselines of the territorial sea. Wang Jing / for China Daily

Editor's note: The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China on Tuesday published a white paper on Diaoyu Dao, an inherent territory of China. Following is the full text of the white paper:

Diaoyu Dao, an Inherent Territory of China

(September 2012)

State Council Information Office

The People's Republic of China

Foreword

I. Diaoyu Dao is China's Inherent Territory

II. Japan Grabbed Diaoyu Dao from China

III. Backroom Deals Between the United States and Japan Concerning Diaoyu Dao are Illegal and Invalid

IV. Japan's Claim of Sovereignty over Diaoyu Dao is Totally Unfounded

V. China has Taken Resolute Measures to Safeguard its Sovereignty over Diaoyu Dao

Conclusion

Foreword

Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands are an inseparable part of the Chinese territory. Diaoyu Dao is China's inherent territory in all historical, geographical and legal terms, and China enjoys indisputable sovereignty over Diaoyu Dao.

Japan's occupation of Diaoyu Dao during the Sino-Japanese War in 1895 is illegal and invalid. After World War II, Diaoyu Dao was returned to China in accordance with such international legal documents as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. No matter what unilateral step Japan takes over Diaoyu Dao, it will not change the fact that Diaoyu Dao belongs to China. For quite some time, Japan has repeatedly stirred up troubles on the issue of Diaoyu Dao. On September 10, 2012, the Japanese government announced the "purchase" of Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated Nanxiao Dao and Beixiao Dao and the implementation of the so-called "nationalization". This is a move that grossly violates China's territorial sovereignty and seriously tramples on historical facts and international jurisprudence.

China is firmly opposed to Japan's violation of China's sovereignty over Diaoyu Dao in whatever form and has taken resolute measures to curb any such act. China's position on the issue of Diaoyu Dao is clear-cut and consistent. China's will to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity is firm and its resolve to uphold the outcomes of the World Anti-Fascist War will not be shaken by any force.