Ministry opposes claims of Diaoyu Islands treaty

China'S Foreign Ministry said yesterday that any private deals between the United States and Japan concerning the Diaoyu Islands were invalid.

At a regular press briefing, spokesman Liu Weimin were asked to comment on a US claim that the Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islands fall within the scope of a 1960 security treaty.

"China has expressed grave concern and firmly opposes such a claim," Liu said. "The Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islands have been China's inherent territory since ancient times and China has indisputable sovereignty over them."

According to Japan's Kyodo news agency, a senior US State Department official said the islands had been under the administrative control of the government of Japan since they were returned as part of the reversion of Okinawa in 1972.

"Private deals made between the US and Japan after World War II concerning the Diaoyu Islands are illegal and invalid," Liu said.