Taiwan warns Japan against nationalising islands

PENGCHIA, Taiwan (AP) - Taiwan's president has warned Japan against attempting to nationalise islands that are part of a disputed chain in the East China Sea.

President Ma Ying Jeou also asserted Taiwan's claims to the chain during a visit on Friday to Taiwan's Pengchia Islet. The islet lies off northern Taiwan, only about 140km west of the disputed chain - known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.

The chain is controlled by Japan but also claimed by China and Taiwan.

Japan's government reportedly is planning to buy several of the islands from their private Japanese owners.