外交部发言人华春莹22日就日本外相有关钓鱼岛问题的言论答问时表示，钓鱼岛及其附属岛屿是中国的固有领土，任何外来压力都丝毫不能动摇中国政府和人民维护国家领土主权的坚定意志和决心。中方一直强调日方在钓鱼岛附近海域的所谓“存在”和“管控”是非法、无效的，中方从来不承认、绝不会接受。

No external pressure can shake the strong will and determination of the Chinese government and people to maintain territorial sovereignty, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said Thursday.

Spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on the new campaign platform released by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Japan's main opposition party.

The LDP issued its pre-election pledges on Wednesday. Shinzo Abe, head of the opposition, said Wednesday that he would set up a national security council at the prime minister's office to beef up Japan's defense and security amid an escalating territorial spat with China over a set of islands in the East China Sea.

Hua said, owing to historical reasons, Japan's movements in areas of military and security will always be of great concern to Asian countries victimized in World War II.

"We hope Japan can reflect on history and insist on peaceful development, so as to play a constructive role for regional peace, stability and development," Hua added.

Concerning Masato Kitera, the newly-designated Japanese ambassador to China, Hua said the Chinese government is dealing with the rotation according to international custom and relevant procedures. She hopes Kitera can make due efforts to improve bilateral relations.

The Japanese government officially approved the appointment of Kitera as its new ambassador to China at a cabinet meeting on Thursday morning.