China Coast Guard patrols near Diaoyu Islands

The China Coast Guard said its fleet patrolled the territorial waters of the Diaoyu Islands on Friday in what it described as a routine rights protection mission.

In a statement released on Friday, the coast guard said the patrol was conducted in accordance with the law but provided no further details.

According to the CCG, it has carried out similar patrols in the waters near Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea twice this year, in January and February.