China's coastguard said that a Japanese fishing boat "illegally" entered China's territorial water around Diaoyu Islands between Oct. 15-16, and was advised to leave.

In a recent statement, a Coast Guard spokesperson stated that "we urge the Japanese to stop immediately all illegal activities" in these waters.

The Coast Guard said that it will continue to protect maritime rights and enforce the law in waters within its jurisdiction.

Japan has rejected China's claim to the islands, and in recent months both countries have engaged in a number or confrontations.

In June, Japan protested against Beijing for allowing what it claimed were Chinese cannons to enter its territorial waters surrounding the disputed islands that Beijing calls Diaoyu and Tokyo calls Senkaku.

Japan protested again a few weeks later after a Chinese naval survey vessel entered Japanese waters. In recent years, the increase in Chinese military activities near Japan and Taiwan has caused concern in Tokyo.

China and the Philippines have also been involved in a number altercations over waters disputed in the South China Sea. Beijing claims sovereignty in the area.

In 2016, a Hague arbitral tribunal ruled that Beijing's claim over 90% of the South China Sea was not based on international law.

(source: Reuters)