China requires Japan to refrain from taking any action that could endanger the safety of life and property of Chinese citizens who are heading to the Diaoyu Island, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a press statement Wednesday.

It has been reported that?a group of Hong Kong and Macao activists who set sail for the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea to claim China's sovereignty on the disputed islands is expected to reach their destination this evening.

The vessel carrying 14 activists, who belong to a group called the Action Committee for Defending the Diaoyu Islands, left Hong Kong on Sunday.

"China is paying close attention to the developments of relevant issues, and it has expressed its serious concerns over the issues to the Japanese side," Qin said in the statement issued in response to a media request to comment on the report. He said China's position on the Diaoyu Islands issue remains "clear and resolute."