BEIJING - Japan must stop infringing upon Chinese territorial sovereignty, a spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defense said on Tuesday.

Yang Yujun also urged Japan to make concrete efforts to properly handle issues related to the Diaoyu Islands.

The Diaoyu Island and their affiliated islets have been inherent part of China's territory since ancient times. The Chinese government and armed forces are determined and able to safeguard China's sovereignty over the islands, Yang told a press conference upon the release of white paper "The Diversified Employment of China's Armed Forces."

China has always advocated peaceful ways as well as dialogue and consultations to settle territorial disputes, according to the spokesman, when responding a reporter's question concerning the Diaoyu Islands.