Ships patrol islands after US remarks

Three Chinese coastguard ships sailed around the Diaoyu Islands on Friday, the State Oceanic Administration said, as China maintains its tough stance after US President Barack Obama backed Tokyo in its territorial dispute with Beijing.

According to China News Service, it was the Chinese vessels' third such patrol since Obama reasserted on April 24 that Washington would defend Japan under a bilateral military treaty if China initiated an attack in the dispute over the islands.

Beijing has dismissed Obama's remarks, saying the islands are "China's inherent territory".