Timeline

Sept 16: Beijing announced it will submit a partial submission concerning the outer limits of the continental shelf to the United Nations in its latest move to defend its maritime sovereignty.

Sept 15: The China's State Oceanic Administration released the exact longitude and latitude of the Diaoyu Island and 70 of its affiliated islets, in a new move to affirm China's sovereignty.

Sept 14: China sent its maritime surveilance ships to waters around Diaoyu Islands.

Sept 11: The Japanese government has exchanged the official contract on the purchase of Diaoyu Islands with Kurihara family whom the Japanese side called "the private owner".

Sept 10: Chinese FM Yang Jiechi urgently summoned Japanese Ambassador to China for a meeting to lodge solemn representations.