Though China demonstrations were stopped, the nation has apologized. ``China does not approve of the overreaction of some individuals,’’ Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular press briefing. ``Japan, for its part, should reflect on the root cause and should not do anything that hurts the feelings of the Chinese people.’’

Last week, tens of thousands of angryChinese took part in violent anti-Japanese demonstrations on the streets of Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, hurling rocks, bottles and eggs at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing and as many as 15,000 Chinese rallied outside Japanese-owned department stores in other cities.

These tensions between two neighbouring countries were caused by new Japanese textbooks that give sketchy reports on atrocities committed during the country’s occupation of China before and during World War II, most notably the Nanjing massacre 1937 when thousands of civilians died. The textbook also claims that Japan owns another set of islands it calls Senkaku -- a fact which the Chinese reject. China calls the islands the Diaoyu.

Japan has also announced its claims on China and demanded better protection for Japanese firms and emigrants.

"Japan must adopt an earnest attitude and appropriate ways to deal with major principled issues concerning the feelings of the Chinese people," said Qin Gang, the Foreign Ministry spokesman. "The Japanese have to do more things conducive to enhancing mutual trust and maintaining the relations between the two countries, rather than doing the reverse," he added.

"I would like the Chinese side to do their utmost from now on to prevent a recurrence so this type of thing does not happen," said Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi who also stated that Chinese anti-Japan demonstrations were "truly regrettable."

"It should do more to enhance mutual trust and safeguard the overall interests of China-Japan relations, instead of doing the contraries," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang.