Coast guard explains Diaoyu Islands expulsion

The Diaoyu and nearby islands. (Photo/Xinhua)

In accordance with law, Chinese coast guard vessels on Wednesday expelled some Japanese vessels which had illegally entered the territorial waters of the Diaoyu Islands, a China Coast Guard spokesperson said on Wednesday night.

Gan Yu, spokesperson for the China Coast Guard, said in a statement that on Wednesday its ships had entered the Islands' territorial waters to carry out a normal patrol for rights protection.

"That was a routine measure of China to safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and a strong countermeasure to the intrusion of a Japanese yacht and several patrol vessels into China's territorial waters," the official said.

The Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands are China's inherent territory, Gan said, adding that untrue remarks and reports from the Japanese side had seriously distorted historical facts.

"We urge the Japanese side to face up to history, respect facts and do more to improve China-Japan relations," the spokesperson said.