Chinese coast guard patrols Diaoyu Islands

Four China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels patrolled territorial waters surrounding the Diaoyu Islands on Monday, according to a State Oceanic Administration statement.

The CCG, which enforces maritime law for fisheries, surveillance, customs and border control, has conducted 59 patrols at a minimum distance of 0.28 nautical miles around the Diaoyu Islands since September 2012, when Japan announced a plan to "purchase" the islands.

The fleet was comprised of CCG 2350, 1123, 2102 and 2166.