China protests Japan`s invitation to Taiwanese officials

Beijing: Amid their spat over disputed islands, China on Monday protested to Japan for violating the `One-China` policy by inviting Taiwanese officials to take part in the anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami of 2011.

"We have made solemn representations to Japan and are strongly dissatisfied with Japan`s acts," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a statement. The Japanese government invited representatives from foreign countries and regions, including staff from Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan to mark the two-year anniversary of the disaster that ravaged huge areas of Japan. China zealously pursues the `One-China` policy -- a view that there is only one state called "China" -- and recognising Taiwan and Tibet as integral part of it. Beijing routinely insists all other countries adhere to it. Monday’s protest came amid simmering dispute between the Asian neighbours which has intensified after Tokyo nationalised three islands in the Senkaku island chain in September last year, in what it said was just an administrative change of ownership. Beijing claims the Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea, which it calls the Diaoyu islands. PTI