China's defense ministry has said its naval ships have every right to navigate in waters under its jurisdiction. The remark was made in response to  reports that a Chinese warship had entered waters near Diaoyu island in the East China Sea early Thursday.

The navigation was legal and resonable, the ministry added. It also reaffirmed that Diaoyu island and its affiliated islands are part of China's territory, and no other country has the right to make thoughtless remarks about this. Meanwhile, Japan summoned the Chinese ambassador Cheng Yonghua early Thursday to protest over the move. However, Cheng dismissed their protestation.