BEIJING - China on Thursday called on Japan to go in the same direction with it and take practical measures to turn around strained Sino-Japanese relations.

Luo Zhaohui, head of the Asian Affairs Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, made the remarks when interviewed by Xinhuanet.com, the official website of Xinhua News Agency.

The crux of the current crisis is the Diaoyu Islands issue, Luo said, noting that because of the illegal "buying" of the islands by the Japanese government, the bilateral relationship has suffered its gravest shock in the forty years history of diplomatic relations' normalization.

Aimed at defaming China and the internationalization of the Diaoyu Islands issue, the Japanese side has adopted a series of negative measures, which undermines China's interest and makes the situation more complex and difficult, he said.

"The Chinese side is highly alert of this, and takes a resolute stance," Luo said, reiterating the Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islets are China's inherent territory.

Luo said the Chinese government has the "determination, ability and confidence" to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Luo said, "China and Japan are neighbors that can never be separated."

He said the two sides should use history as a mirror and look into the future to properly handle challenges and improve the relationship under the principles of the four political documents signed by the two countries.

Luo urged Japan to face up to reality and history, and make joint efforts with China, in a bid to properly resolve the issue through talks.

"Now the ball is in Japan's court," Luo added.