China will 'never yield an inch' on disputed isles: PM

BEIJING (AFP) - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Monday that Beijing would "never yield an inch" in its territorial dispute with Japan over a group of islands, after Tokyo said it was going to purchase the territory.

"The Diaoyu Islands are an inherent part of China's territory. On issues concerning sovereignty and territory, the Chinese government and people will never ever yield an inch," the official Xinhua news agency quoted Mr Wen as saying.

Mr Wen was speaking after Japan announced it will nationalise the group of islands known as Senkaku in Japanese as Tokyo tries both to appease nationalists and keep Beijing onside.

Following the announcement Beijing summoned Japan's ambassador to China to express "strong protest" over the move, China's foreign ministry said in a statement.