By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - The China Coast Guard (CCG) Friday said it expelled a Japanese fishing vessel that entered Beijing's territorial waters, state media reported.

The vessel was driven away from the waters of Chiwei Yu territory on Wednesday, Beijing-based Xinhua News reported, citing Liu Dejun, a CCG spokesperson.

Liu urged the Japanese side to immediately cease all "illegal" activities in these waters, saying Diaoyu Dao (the Senkaku Islands) and its affiliated islands are China's "inherent territory."

"The CCG will continue to carry out law enforcement operations in waters under China's jurisdiction to safeguard the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," Liu added.

The development comes a day after Japan lodged a protest with China over “unusual” air encounters between the military aircraft of the two countries and warned against accidental collisions.

Tokyo said that on July 9-10, Chinese military aircraft “made unusual close approaches toward (Japanese) Air Self-Defense Force aircraft conducting surveillance and monitoring operations over the East China Sea.”

*Writing by Aamir Latif