China's foreign ministry on Tuesday reiterated its stance on the sovereignty of the Diaoyu Islands, saying that no foreign power had the right to make "irresponsible" remarks over their ownership. The ministry made the remarks in response to a new set of Japanese school textbooks classifying the islands as Japan's territory, as well as separate remarks by the US and Japan over the weekend.

"The Diaoyu Islands and its affiliated islets have been China's inherent territory since ancient times. No matter what others do or say, the fact that the Diaoyu Islands are an integral part of China has not changed. And China's resolve and determination in safeguarding its sovereignty and territory will not be shifted," China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.