China on Thursday urged Japan to return to the path of dialogue and negotiation to solve bilateral territorial issues as Tokyo planned to send a special envoy to China to ease tensions after its "purchase" of the Diaoyu Islands.

Hong Lei, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made his remarks at a daily news conference in response to a report saying Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda was seeking to repair bilateral ties after misjudging China's reaction to Tokyo's "purchase".

China has always insisted that issues concerning the Diaoyu Islands should be solved through dialogue and negotiation, Hong said, adding that the Japanese side should take China's solemn demand seriously.