China has urged Japan not to take any action that could endanger the safety of Chinese lives or property. The Foreign Ministry made the remarks following a Taiwan fishing vessel travelled into waters around the Diaoyu islands.

The fishing boat, said to be carrying Taiwan activists, was spotted near the Diaoyu Islands on Wednesday morning. Taiwan’s Coast Guard has sent five patrol boats to protect the vessel and its nine crew members.

The Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Weimin reiterated that the Diaoyu Islands and its affiliated islands have been China’s inherent territory since ancient times and China has undisputable sovereignty over the islands. He says that China will continue to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its sovereignty over the territory.