Tokyo: In a protest against China over its new "standard map" that includes the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea as part of its territory, Japan has joined India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan. Japan’s chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told the media in Tokyo that Japan has lodged a strong protest to China through diplomatic channels over the new map released by Beijing last month.
According to Matsuno, Tokyo pushed Beijing to withdraw the map because it contains a description based on China's unilateral claims to the Senkaku Islands, which are located in the Okinawa Prefecture of southern Japan.
The Senkaku Islands, also known as the Diaoyu Islands in Chinese, are shown on the map. Beijing asserts ownership of the East China Sea islands that are under Japanese administration. The islands are “indisputably an inherent part of Japanese territory, both historically and under international law,” Matsuno said. Japan “responds in a calm and resolute way, based on its policy to stand firm in protecting people’s lives and properties, as well as the country’s land, seas and airspace,” he said.
Reacting to Japan’s protest, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning rejected Tokyo’s claim. Diaoyu Islands and neighbouring islands are part of China’s territories, Mao told a media briefing. “It is reasonable for China to include them in our standard maps. We do not accept relevant statements,” she said.