Chinese surveillance ships will continue patrolling the waters off the Diaoyu (Senkaku) Islands in the East China Sea, official spokesman for the country’s Foreign Ministry said, stressing the fact of China’s sovereignty over the territory, The Voice of Russia reported citing TASS.

The diplomat urged Tokyo to sit down for talks and discuss the issue once again.

Earlier this year Japan announced its decision to purchase the islands from its private owner, which caused a wave of protests in China.