China's Coast Guard (CCG) said on Monday that it had expelled a Japanese fishing boat which had been intruding into the territorial waters around China's Diaoyu Islands.

Gan Yu, a spokesman for the CCG, said in a brief statement that between Friday and Monday, a Japanese fishing boat illegally entered the territorial waters off the Diaoyu Islands, adding that Chinese coast guard vessels took necessary control measures, issued warnings and drove it away.

Gan emphasized that Diaoyu and affiliated islands are inherent territories of China, and urged Japan to immediately cease all illegal activities in the area.

The Coast Guard will continue to conduct territorial protection and law enforcement activities in the waters off the Diaoyu Islands to safeguard China's national sovereignty and maritime rights, Gan said.