BEIJING, Mar. 24 -- The China Coast Guard (CCG) expelled four Japanese fishing vessels that unlawfully entered the territorial waters of China's Diaoyu Dao from March 21 to 24. The CCG vessels took necessary control measures, issued warnings and drove them away in accordance with the law, said Liu Dejun, a spokesperson for the CCG.

"Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands have all along been China's territory. We urge the Japanese side to immediately cease all illegal activities in the waters around them," said the spokesperson, adding that the CCG vessels will continue to carry out maritime rights protection and law enforcement operations in the waters of the Diaoyu Dao to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.