China 'to survey disputed East China Sea islands'

China says it is to conduct a survey of disputed East China Sea islands, amid a bitter diplomatic row with Japan.

State news agency Xinhua said the survey was part of China's "programme to safeguard its maritime rights and interests".

The island are called Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan.

The row over the islands, which are controlled by Japan, has left ties between Tokyo and Beijing highly tense.

Xinhua said the survey was the second part of a programme to map China's territorial islands and reefs, after the first part was completed in 2009.

"The second stage will cover islands including the Diaoyu Islands," the report said, citing the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation.