By Li Hogmei

Japan and Taiwan authorities signed a fishery pact on Wednesday regarding operations near waters off the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea.

Japan's Kyodo News Agency quoted unnamed sources as saying that the deal will allow trawlers from Taiwan to operate in part of an "exclusive economic zone" near the islands that was unilaterally defined by Japan.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at Friday's regular press conference that the Diaoyu Islands and the adjacent waters have been China's inherent territory since ancient times. Back in 1997, China and Japan signed the fishery agreement, and China objects to any unilateral action taken by the Japanese side pertinent to the waters off the Diaoyu Islands.

Earlier, Hong Lei had told reporters that the government's position on Taiwan's external interactions and other issues is consistent and clear.

"We expect Tokyo to earnestly stick to its commitments on the one-China policy as well as the Taiwan question, and deal with Taiwan-related issues in a prudent manner," Hong said.