China slams McCain's remarks on Diaoyu Islands

US Senator John McCain (L) meets with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Abe's official residence in Tokyo August 21, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

BEIJING - The Chinese Foreign Ministry has called on US lawmaker, John McCain to stop making irresponsible remarks about the Diaoyu Islands. The comment came in response to recent claims by the US Republican Senator that the Diaoyu Islands are Japanese territory.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei says "relevant US lawmakers" should avoid making regional situations more complicated. Hong adds it is futile for anyone to deny the fact that the Diaoyu Islands are Chinese territory.

According to Kyodo news agency, the visiting US Senator described the Diaoyu Islands as "Japanese territory" during a news conference in Tokyo. He said China is violating Japan’s fundamental right to the islands and the recent rise on the number of patrol ships in waters near the islands does not bode well for a peaceful solution of the current situation.

McCain also says other nations feeling increasingly threatened by China’s maritime presence "need to act in closer coordination with each other".