This undated photo shows the Diaoyu and nearby islands. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

The China Coast Guard said that it had expelled multiple Japanese vessels that illegally entered the territorial waters off the Diaoyu Islands.

In a brief statement released on Tuesday evening, the Chinese Coast Guard said that several Japanese patrol boats and one fishing boat illegally entered the territorial waters off the Diaoyu Islands.

China Coast Guard vessels took necessary control measures and warned them off in accordance with the law

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It said the China Coast Guard vessels took necessary control measures and warned them off in accordance with the law.

The statement emphasized that the Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islands are China's inherent territory, and the Chinese Coast Guard vessels are carrying out activities of maritime rights protection and law enforcement in China's jurisdictional waters.

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The Chinese Coast Guard urged the Japanese side to immediately stop all illegal activities in the area and ensure that similar incidents do not happen again.