China has firmly rejected Japan’s latest attempt to bolster its territorial claim over the Diaoyu Dao, saying the newly added documents presented by Tokyo do not alter the historical and legal reality that the islands belong to China. The response came on Monday from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during the ministry’s regular press briefing.
Lin was asked about media reports that the Japanese government had added three more documents to its Territory and Sovereignty Exhibition Hall, a facility created to promote Japan’s position in various territorial disputes. Tokyo said the new material was intended to reinforce its claim over the Diaoyu Dao, known in Japan as the Senkaku Islands.
Lin said China has consistently maintained that Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islets have been part of Chinese territory since ancient times. He emphasised that the historical record is well established and that China’s position has longstanding legal foundations. According to Lin, the evidence supporting China’s claim is extensive and comes from multiple sources, including diplomatic records, historical maps, and research produced by Japanese scholars.
The spokesperson argued that Japan’s latest additions to its exhibition hall do not strengthen Tokyo’s case. Instead, he said, the move reflects Japan’s difficulty in finding credible material to justify its claims. Lin described the documents as selective and unconvincing, adding that the attempt to reframe historical facts only underscores how weak Japan’s argument remains.
He said Japan’s actions demonstrate that its assertions over the islands cannot withstand close inspection. Lin added that efforts to compile or display more so called evidence will not change the fact that the Diaoyu Dao issue is rooted in history and international law, where China believes its position is firmly grounded.
Tensions over the Diaoyu Dao have remained a sensitive issue in China Japan relations for many years. The islands, located in the East China Sea, are controlled by Japan but claimed by China. Both sides frequently issue statements defending their positions whenever new political or symbolic actions are taken by the other.
Analysts note that exhibitions such as the one mentioned by Tokyo often serve a domestic purpose as well, reinforcing national narratives and responding to political pressure from internal audiences. China, however, sees these moves as attempts to rewrite or distort historical evidence. Lin reiterated that no matter how many documents Japan adds to its displays, it cannot change the fact that Diaoyu Dao has long been considered part of China’s territory.
Lin concluded by urging Japan to stop taking actions that he said complicate the situation. He called on Tokyo to return to dialogue and avoid steps that could inflame tensions. For now, both countries continue to stand by their respective views, and the dispute remains unresolved.
