China postpones ceremony marking diplomatic ties with Japan
Purchase this article for republication
Buy SPH photos
Japanese protesters shout slogans during a rally, opposing China's territorial claim over the disputed islands, called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, at a park in Tokyo on Saturday, Sept 22, 2012. A banner, (left), reads " Beef up the control over Senkaku". China on Sunday postponed a ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties with Japan, due to an ongoing territorial dispute, Xinhua news agency said. -- PHOTO: AP
BEIJING (AFP) - China on Sunday postponed a ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties with Japan, due to an ongoing territorial dispute, Xinhua news agency said.
"Due to the current situation, the Chinese side has decided that the reception commemorating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations will be postponed until an appropriate time," Xinhua cited an official as saying.
The unnamed official from the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries was referring to the ongoing row that centres on the Tokyo-controlled Senkaku islands in the East China Sea, which are claimed by Beijing under the name Diaoyu.
The ceremony was due to take place on Sept 27.
Related Stories
