Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu in a regular press conference on Tuesday in Beijing.   Chinanews, Beijing, Feb. 7 - It was perfectly normal for Chinese ships to conduct research work in the area around the Diaoyu Islands, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu on Tuesday in Beijing, Xinhua reported.

 

The Diaoyu and surrounding islands have been Chinese territory since ancient times, and China's sovereignty over them is indisputable, Jiang told a regular press conference.

 

It was China's legitimate right to conduct research work in the waters near the Diaoyu Islands, and no notice of such research work was required, Jiang said.

 

Officials with the Chinese Foreign Ministry in charge of Asian affairs summoned Japanese diplomats on Monday, and lodged a complaint with them over Japan's approach to the issue.