BEIJING, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government has agreed to buy China's Diaoyu Islands from their so-called private owners, Japanese media confirmed Wednesday.

The deal, neglecting China's strong opposition, can be regarded as plain robbery. In doing so, the Japanese government is putting on another flagrant action.

It is known to all that the islands have been Chinese territory since ancient times, and that China holds indisputable sovereignty over them.

In essence, the Japanese government is buying land against the will of its real owner -- China. Such a move is based on gangster logic.

From the perspective of international law, the unilateral action by Japan to buy land that belongs to a foreign nation is illegal and invalid.

China has repeatedly expressed its firm position on the Diaoyu Islands: China does not allow anyone to make deals on its sovereign territory; the unilateral action by Japan has seriously hurt the feelings and dignity of the Chinese people; it constitutes open provocation.

Meanwhile, Japan has ignobly engaged in double dealing with China on the islands.

Last week, Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi made a special trip to China and handed a letter of Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to Chinese President Hu Jintao.

In the letter, the Japanese side vowed to strengthen dialogue and communication with China to properly handle the disputes over the islands.

Within days, the Japanese government suddenly changed course and chose to seek a purchasing deal on the islands.

What the Japanese side did was a breach of commitment and calculated violation of mutual trust between China and Japan.

All in all, it is regrettable that the Japanese side has diverted from the right track of resolving the disputes. It is the Japanese side that should be held responsible for all consequences.

The Chinese government and people have strong will and determination to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is hoped that the Japanese side would not miscalculate the situation.