China makes representation to Japan over island naming

China has made a solemn representation to the Japanese government over Tokyo's preliminary decision on Sunday to name four uninhabited islets adjacent to the Diaoyu Islands, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said on Monday. 

The Japanese government on Sunday gave names to three islets adjacent to Huangwei Yu Island as well as another islet close to Chiwei Yu Island, Japan's Sankei Shimbun newspaper said on Monday. 

However, both Huangwei Yu Island and Chiwei Yu Island are among the key components of the Diaoyu Islands, over which China has sovereignty. 

Beijing has reiterated that the Diaoyu Islands and its affiliated islands have been an integral part of China's territory since ancient times. 

"Any unilateral act taken by the Japanese side on the Diaoyu Islands and its affiliated islands is illegal and invalid," the spokesman said. 

Beijing's decision to make a strong response is a reaction to "a series of recent naming attempts by Tokyo", said Yang Bojiang, a professor of Japanese studies at the University of International Relations in Beijing. 

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura officially confirmed the naming plan at a news conference on Jan 16. 

The move sparked a response from the Chinese Foreign Ministry later in the day. 

Tokyo's recent attempt to name the adjacent islets of the Diaoyu Islands violates "the core interest of China", People's Daily said in an opinion article on Jan 17. 

The four islets are among 39 uninhabited islets which the Japanese government has yet to officially name. 

Despite Beijing's strong opposition to the naming, Tokyo is reportedly planning to finish naming all of the islets within the year. 

The naming drive is aimed at claiming the selected islets as cardinal points to help Japan lay claim to an exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Japan's Fuji Television said. 

The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan and Japan's Coast Guard are expected to hold a joint meeting concerning the naming of the islets within the year. 

Tokyo's decision to complete the naming will "beef up administration and help clarify borders in negotiation with other countries", Fuji added. 

Experts said Tokyo's naming drive and related EEZ plans are designed to bring Japan lucrative benefits in tapping maritime resources, while violating China's legal rights and national interests in the area. 

Tokyo's recent naming attempts "make little sense" and will not alter the fact that the Diaoyu Islands belong to China, Yang said. 

The final version of the names will be included in updated versions of related Japanese maps, according to the Sankei Shimbun.