BEIJING - China on Friday urged Japan to take practical action to improve bilateral relations amid a territorial dispute regarding nearby islands.

A resolution adopted by the Japanese House of Representatives said that as important partners with shared interests, relations between Japan and China should be deepened so as to promote regional and international peace, stability and prosperity.

Since the Japanese side is willing to deepen bilateral relations, then it should take practical action to that end, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.

However, the Japanese resolution reiterated that the Diaoyu Islands are Japan's territory and condemned the arrival of Hong Kong citizens at the islands last week.

Hong said Japan's attempt to strengthen its position on the Diaoyu Islands through the resolution is "illegal and futile" and cannot change the fact that the Diaoyu Islands belong to China.

The islands have been China's inherent territory since ancient times, said the spokesman.