Q: Some media reported former US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage's review of a meeting on the Diaoyu Islands issue between the Chinese side and four former US Politicians and academics including himself during their visit to China in last October in Armitage's interview with Japan's NHK Television. What is China's comment?

A: Relevant reports are obviously untrue. China's position on the Diaoyu Islands issue is consistent and clear. The Chinese leaders have repeatedly told guests from various countries including the United States that the Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islets are China's inherent territory, which is an undeniable fact backed up by historical records and jurisprudential evidence. The US side should respect the history and fact and refrain from sending out wrong messages on issues concerning China's territorial sovereignty.