Beijing, Aug 12 (IANS): China Monday called on Japan to abide by the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1978.

The Chinese foreign ministry in a statement said that the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, 1978 should be commemorated and followed well, Xinhua reported citing the ministry's spokesperson Hong Lei.

The treaty signed by the two countries Aug 12, 1978, affirms the principles in the China-Japan joint statement inked in 1972, defines the direction of China-Japan friendship from generation to generation, Hong said.

The treaty consolidates the political foundation for the long-term development of bilateral relations.

Relations between China and Japan soured following the Japanese government's unilateral move in September 2012 to "nationalise" part of the Diaoyu Islands which, China says, have been Chinese territory since ancient times.

The islands are called "Diaoyu" in China but "Senkaku" in Japan. The row over the islands, which are presently controlled by Japan, has left ties between Tokyo and Beijing highly tense.

Japan claims to be occupying the islands since 1895, while China maintains the islands were recognised as Chinese territory as early as 1783.