China has reportedly deployed two navy boats and lashed out at Japan, after Tokyo announced that it would purchase a number of disputed islands claimed by the two nations.

The Japanese government has stated that they will pay a total of 2.05 billion yen (around £16.4 million) for the islands, from a private Japanese family whom they recognise as the current owners. The transfer is set to go through at the end of this month.

The news sparked a furios reaction from China who reportedly deployed two navy vessels in the area. Furthermore, China’s foreign ministry warned Japan that it would have to “bear all serious consequences”. It went on to say,

“Long gone are the days when the Chinese nation was subject to bullying and humiliation from others. The Chinese government will not sit idly by watching its territorial sovereignty being infringed upon.”

Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao also commented on the issue, stating,

"The Diaoyu Islands are an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Chinese government and its people will absolutely make no concession on issues concerning its sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Meanwhile Japan’s Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba stated that the purchase was for "peaceful and stable maintenance of the islands", telling reporters,

"We cannot damage the stable development of the Japan-China relationship because of that issue. Both nations need to act calmly and from a broad perspective.”