Beijing, Jan 13 (IANS): China Monday warned Japan against any provocative action and escalation regarding the Diaoyu Islands, in response to a reported Japanese plan to claim the islands in a guideline for creating school textbooks.

"If the Japanese side takes steps of provocation and escalation on the Diaoyu Islands issue, China will surely stand up to them, and Japan must bear all the ensuing consequences," Xinhua quoted Hua Chunying, foreign ministry spokeswoman, as saying in a press briefing.

"No matter how hard the Japanese side attempts to promote its wrong positions, it cannot change the fact that the Diaoyu Islands are China's inherent territory," said Hua.

The nature of Japan's wrong stance and actions boil down its attempt to deny the outcome of the world anti-fascist war, and to deny and challenge the post-war international order, as well as the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, she said.

Hua added that history can never be forgotten. "The more some Japanese want to deny and escape history, the harder it is for them to hide from history's judgement."

"We again urge Japan to face history, and correct the wrongdoing through concrete steps," Hua said.

China-Japan relations have been facing difficulties since the Japanese government announced its plan in September 2012 to "purchase" part of the Diaoyu Islands, which have been Chinese territory since ancient times.

Reports said Japan plans to amend a teaching manual, which serves as a guideline for creating textbooks used in middle and high schools. The amendments include the claiming of the Diaoyu Islands.