China hopes for an early round of consultation with Japan on the disputes on boundary demarcations at the East China Sea, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said in Beijing Thursday.

"The two countries could discuss all the questions they are concerned about during the consultation," spokesman Qin Gang said at a regular press conference.

China and Japan were divided by the issue of the demarcation of the continental shelf of the East China Sea. China insisted on negotiation and appealed for joint exploration but Japan drew a " median line" without discussion with China.

The Japanese government earlier this month began granting Japanese firms the right to conduct test drilling for potential gas and oil fields in the disputed area, which China called "a serious provocation."

Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said after the Japanese action that he hoped the two countries could narrow their differences on the issue through dialogue and consultations.

"China and Japan have disputes on boundary demarcations in the East China Sea, and this is an objective reality," Tang said. " Shelving the disputes and engaging in joint development is the sole correct choice for the two countries."