English-language and Japanese versions of a website were launched by China on Wednesday to demonstrate its sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands.

Experts said the move, which was announced by the State Oceanic Administration, is aimed at boosting global publicity on the issue in a reasoned manner.

Japan triggered a crisis over the islands in September 2012 when it unilaterally announced its decision to "nationalize" them, prompting a serious standoff with China and leading to Sino-Japanese relations plunging to a record low.