TAIPEI - More than 1,000 Taiwan people staged a demonstration in Taipei Sunday to protest against Japan's "nationalization" of the Diaoyu Islands.

The demonstrators called for the Chinese mainland and Taiwan to join hands to safeguard the sovereignty over the islands.

People walked along main avenues of Taipei, organized by a dozen of organizations such as the Cross-Straits Peaceful Development Forum, the New Party and the People First Party, shouting "The Diaoyu Islands are ours", and "The mainland and Taiwan join hands to guard the Diaoyu Islands".

After the Japanese government announced its plan to "purchase" and "nationalize" part of the Diaoyu Islands earlier this month, the Chinese government and people have voiced their firm opposition and strong protest.

Taiwan authorities and the public have also expressed strong protest against Japan's move.