China has urged the US side to adopt a responsible attitude in regard to the issue of Diaoyu Islands.China urges talks with Japan over islets Special: Diaoyu Islands Dispute
"Improving the bilateral relationship will be my top priority. It's big challenge for me," Japan's new ambassador to China Masato Kitera said in a recent interview with Chinese media at the Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Chinese and Japanese aircraft were involved in a standoff in the skies above the Diaoyu Islands on Thursday. Special: Diaoyu Islands Dispute
China's marine surveillance vessels continued routine patrols and law enforcement activities in territorial waters around the Diaoyu Islands on the East China Sea on Thursday.
China on Friday held a large-scale drill simulating the PLA protecting Chinese administration ships disturbed by foreign ships in the East China Sea.
Dispute hurts investment, trade with Japan
Row takes toll on cultural and travel sectors
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Wednesday that Japan should strictly abide by its promise on historical issues and handle concerning issues in a responsible way.
Japanese people in Shanghai have been warned their safety is at risk after four Japanese were attacked by several Chinese last week.
An aerial view shows Japan Coast Guard patrol ship and Taiwan's Coast Guard vessel spraying water at each other near Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea.
Japan's "purchase" of China's Diaoyu Islands is having an economic impact on the two Asian economic powers across a range of key industry sectors, particularly travel and tourism.
Thousands of people in Beijing marched to the well-guarded Japanese embassy, chanting slogans including "Never forget the national humiliation".
Chinese people chose different ways to remember Sept 18, 1931, on Tuesday, the day Japan began its brutal 14-year occupation of parts of China.
Washington will not take sides over the Diaoyu Islands and urges a peaceful resolution amid escalating tension, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said in Tokyo on Monday before arriving in Beijing.