China Thursday expressed anger with several Japanese citizens' registration of permanent addresses on the Diaoyu Islands, saying that China "will never accept" any of Japan's unilateral moves on the islands.

The Japanese government announced Tuesday that 18 Japanese citizens have registered permanent addresses on the islands, a group of islets in the East China Sea.

Asked to comment on the issue, Kong said China's stance on the Diaoyu Islands was "clear and consistent."

"I reiterate that the Diaoyu and surrounding islands have been parts of the Chinese territory since ancient times. China holds indisputable historical and lawful evidence on the issue," he said.

He said any unilateral move taken by Japan on the Diaoyu Islands is a serious infringement on China's territorial sovereignty and is "unlawful and invalid."

"China firmly opposes such moves and will never accept them," Kong told a regular press briefing.

Source: Xinhua