BEIJING, Jan. 12 -- China's determination to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity is "unswerving" when it comes to the Diaoyu Islands, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said on Tuesday.

"The Diaoyu Island and its adjacent islets have been an inherent part of Chinese territory since ancient times. China's determination to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity is unswerving," Hong said at a regular news briefing.

"Meanwhile, the last thing China wants to see is the escalation of tension in the East China Sea," Hong said, expressing willingness to manage and resolve problems through dialogue and consultation.

China-Japan relations have been strained by historical and territorial disputes, particularly over the Diaoyu Islands. In 2014, China and Japan agreed to gradually resume political, diplomatic and security dialogue while acknowledging different positions on the Diaoyu Islands.