Japan, China ministers in 'severe' talks on disputed islands
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UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The foreign ministers of China and Japan held stern talks on Tuesday on bitterly disputed islands but made no breakthrough, diplomats said.
China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi accused Japan of committing a "gross violation" of China's territorial integrity during the meeting, according to China's state Xinhau news agency.
Japan's Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said there was a "severe" atmosphere for the talks which lasted for about about one hour on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, diplomats said. Mr Gemba requested the meeting, added the diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
China has been infuriated by the Japanese government's move to buy the East China Sea islands - known as the Senkaku in Japanese and the Diaoyu to Chinese - from a private owner.
