Chinese surveillance ships are in the disputed waters

AP

China has hit back at a comment by Japan's prime minister that his nation will not compromise in their territorial dispute over small islands.

Both sides have met this week in an attempt to mend ties frayed by the spat over the island group in the East China Sea known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, reports The Associated Press.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said in New York on Wednesday that issues should be resolved peacefully by the rule of law.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a statement Thursday that Japan had ignored historical facts and international laws.

He said: "The country seriously challenges the post-war international order, but tries to take the rules of international law as a cover. This is self-deceiving."