(MENAFN) China has criticized Japan's decision to approve "unilateral territorial claims" over disputed islets. According to Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for China’s Foreign Ministry, the Diaoyu Islands have been an inherent territory of China since ancient times, and no matter what Japan writes in its textbooks, it will not change the fact that the Diaoyu Islands belong to China. Mao was referring to new textbooks approved by Japan's Education Ministry to be used in elementary schools from April next year.
The books state Japan's position on disputed islands, including the Diaoyu Islands (known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan) and the disputed Takeshima Islands (known as the Dokdo Islands in South Korea). The approval of these textbooks has caused concern among China and South Korea, both of which claim sovereignty over these territories.
In response to Japan's decision, Mao stated that China is seriously concerned about Japan's approval of a batch of primary school textbooks that promote Japan's unilateral territorial claims. She also indicated that China has lodged solemn representations with Japan regarding this issue. This criticism reflects ongoing tensions between China and Japan over territorial disputes and highlights the importance of finding peaceful and diplomatic solutions to these issues.
This latest development underscores the importance of historical narratives in shaping geopolitical tensions and disputes. The ongoing territorial disputes in the East China Sea have been a source of tension between China and Japan for many years, and the approval of these textbooks is likely to exacerbate these tensions. As the international community continues to grapple with these issues, it will be important to prioritize dialogue and cooperation in order to find peaceful and lasting solutions to territorial disputes.
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