Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue has refuted Japan's claim to 'renting' the Diaoyu Islands.

When asked about reports that Japan will rent the three uninhabited islands from their "private owner," Zhang Qiyue said the Diaoyu Islands have been Chinese territory since ancient times, and any unilateral claim by Japan is invalid.

She was referring to a report that the Japanese government has leased from a so-called private owner three uninhabited islands of the Diaoyu Islands for about 22 million Japanese yen, or about US$185,000 a year, in an effort to strengthen its control over the islands.

Zhang pointed to the fact that the Diaoyu Islands and adjacent islets, located northeast of Taiwan between Japan and China, have been an integral part of China since ancient times.

(People's Daily January 3, 2002)