The China Coast Guard expelled on Tuesday a Japanese vessel that had illegally intruded into the territorial waters off China's Diaoyu Islands, a spokesperson said on Tuesday afternoon.

Jiang Lue, a spokesperson for the China Coast Guard, said a Japanese fishing vessel had illegally entered the territorial waters of the Islands.

China Coast Guard vessels took necessary control measures in accordance with the law and issued warnings to expel the vessel, Jiang, a new spokesperson for the Chinese maritime enforcement authority, said.

"The Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islets are China's inherent territory. We urge the Japanese side to immediately cease all infringing and provocative activities in the waters," he said.

Jiang noted that the China Coast Guard will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement operations in the waters off the Diaoyu Islands to safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.