CHINA discussed the sensationalized reports involving a Chinese vessel's scientific research in the Diaoyu Island sea area with Japan yesterday.

　　A senior official with the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs met the officials from Japan's Embassy to China yesterday in Beijing, expressing China's concern over the reports.

　　Diaoyu Island and the adjacent islets have been China's territory since ancient times and China has incontestable historical and legal evidence on this, the Chinese official said.

　　"China's scientists have sovereignty to do maritime surveys on the islands and the neighboring sea zone," the official added.