Chinese surveillance ships are continuing to exercise the country's jurisdiction over waters around the Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islets. It's a move that follows the country's declaration of its territorial baselines on the area.
Six Chineses surveillance ships are continuing patrols around the Diaoyu Islands. Officials said the the law enforcement in the waters has been successful.
Xiao Huiwu, Deputy Chief of China Marine Surveillance Headquarters, said, "Surveillance ships have claimed China's jurisdiction over waters around Diaoyu Islands, in accordance with the original plan."
Three coast guard ships and three helicopters from Japan followed and monitored the Chinese ships, attempting to intercept China's patrol activities on September 14.
But no confrontation between the two sides was reported.
Xiao said, "We warned them not to infringe on our sovereignty, and successfully drove them away. "The China Marine Surveillance began regular maritime patrol in 2006. It is now comprised of more than 300 boats and nine oceanic surveillance planes.
Officials from China Marine Surveillance said the fleets will continue to patrol waters around the Diaoyu Islands, and will step up law enforcement activities even fruther over the next several days.
(CNTV.cn September 18, 2012)