The China Coast Guard warned and expelled a Japanese fishing vessel on Thursday after it illegally entered the territorial waters of China's Diaoyu Islands.

Liu Dejun, spokesman for the CCG, said in a statement on Thursday morning that the CCG vessels took necessary control measures against the fishing vessel and warned it off in accordance with the law.

He said that the Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islands are inherent territories of China, urging the Japanese side to immediately cease all illegal activities in these waters.

The China Coast Guard will continue to conduct rights protection and law enforcement activities in the territorial waters of the Diaoyu Islands to safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, said Liu.