China on Thursday urged Japan to return to the track of dialogue and negotiations to resolve issues relating to the Diaoyu Islands or Senkaku in Japanese. Hong Lei, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the call at a regular press conference while commenting on a report stating that Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda will send a special envoy to China. He said China will maintain communications with Japanese sides at all levels and expound China's official stance on the Islands.

In another development, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura told reporters that Tokyo would ask Beijing for compensation for damage caused on its diplomatic mission during sometimes violent anti-Japanese over disputed islands.