China Sends Ships to Disputed Islands

Japan purchased the islands from their private owner today

Two Chinese patrol ships have been sent to islands disputed with Japan, which has sealed a deal to purchase the territory, Chinese state media say.

The ships had reached waters near the islands—known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China—to "assert the country's sovereignty", Xinhua said.

Japan confirmed on Tuesday it had signed a contract to buy three of the islands from their private owner.