Japan given warning in row over islands

Published on 03/03/2013 00:00

Beijing authorities have issued another scathing attack on Japan over an islands dispute, days before the opening of the Chinese national legislature’s annual session.

Lu Xinhua, spokesman for the legislature’s chief advisory body, said yesterday that if any unintended clash occurred due to their boats and planes operating close to one another, Japan would “be held solely responsible for all consequences”.

The long-standing dispute between the countries over the islands flared anew after Japan purchased three of the five in the group from their private owners in September. Beijing says the islands have been Chinese for centuries.