Islands' stance could raise tensions

Beijing slams Japanese plan to 'nationalize' sovereign territory

Analysts said Tokyo's political stance toward China's Diaoyu Islands will cast a shadow over relations between China and Japan, as Beijing vowed to protect its sovereignty and slammed Tokyo's plan to "nationalize" the islands.

"China's holy territory is not 'up for sale' to anyone," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said in response to remarks Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda made on Saturday.