BEIJING - The All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce issued a statement Sunday to condemn Japan's move to "purchase" part of the Diaoyu Islands.

Regardless of strong opposition and repeated strong representations of the Chinese side, the Japanese government announced on September 10 the "purchase" of the Diaoyu Island and its affiliated Nan Xiaodao and Bei Xiaodao and the implementation of the so-called "nationalization" of the islands.

Japan's move constitutes a gross violation of China's territorial sovereignty and is highly offensive to the 1.3 billion Chinese people, the statement said.

In the name of more than 45,000 business associations and 4 million federation members as well as business people from the non-public sector, the federation expresses strong indignation over and condemnation of Japan's illegal move, it said.

Stressing that the Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islets have been China's inherent territory since ancient times, the statement said the federation and the non-public business circle are firmly supportive of Chinese government's efforts in safeguarding territorial sovereignty.

The statement demanded the Japanese side immediately stop all the dangerous acts that harm China's territorial sovereignty.