Any attempts by Japan to draw in a third party to confront China over the Diaoyu Islands issue will be in vain, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei.

He made the comments Thursday at a daily press briefing when answering a question concerning the US and Japan's stance on the islands.

"China has the resolve and ability to safeguard the territorial sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands," Hong said, reiterating that the islands have been China's sacred territory since ancient times.

He also said Chinese marine surveillance vessels' regular patrol in waters near the Diaoyu Islands constituted normal activity intended to exercise China's jurisdiction over the islands.