China's U.N. ambassador Li Baodong late Thursday refuted Japanese representative's claim that the Diaoyu Islands belong to Japan.

"The Diaoyu Island the its affiliated islands have been an integral part of China's territory since ancient times," Li said in response to remarks by Japan's Deputy U.N. ambassador Kazuo Kodama that the islands belong to Japan.

Japan stole Taiwan and its affiliated islands, including the Diaoyu Islands, from China through the First Sino-Japanese War in 1894-1895, said Li.

"After so many years, the Japanese government still clings to its old-time colonial mindset, breaches its international obligations time and again, and attempts for continued occupation of the Diaoyu Islands," Li said.

He lambasted the recent "purchase" of the islands by the Japanese government, saying that the purpose of the move is to "legalize its stealing and occupation of the Chinese territory through this illegal means and to confuse international public opinion and deceive people in the world."

"This action of Japan constitutes a serious encroachment upon China's sovereignty, and intends to continue and legalize the result of Japan's colonial policy. It is an open denial of the outcomes of victory of the world anti-fascist war, and a grave challenge to the post-war international order and the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations," said Li.

He said unilateral actions by Japan will not change the fact that the territory belongs to China. "Illegal act, no matter how it is packaged, is illegal in nature and never generates rights... The act of Japan falls into this category and is utterly illegal and void."

He said the Chinese government and people will never waver in their will and determination to uphold China's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Li asked Japan to "discard illusions, stop day-dreaming, honor its international obligations, take concrete measures to redress its mistakes and stop all acts that violate and undermine China's sovereignty."?

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