Chinese ships carried out their routine patrolling Sunday around the disputed Diaoyu Islands that are also claimed by Japan.
A fleet of Chinese marine surveillance ships conducted regular patrols Sunday in waters surrounding the Diaoyu Islands, reported China Daily quoting the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) in a statement.
The fleet comprises three marine surveillance ships, it added.
The islands are called "Diaoyu" in China but "Senkaku" in Japan. The row over the islands, which are presently controlled by Japan, has left ties between Tokyo and Beijing highly tense.
Japan claims to be occupying the islands since 1895, while China maintains the islands were recognised as Chinese territory as early as 1783.