Beijing on Tuesday dismissed Japan's representation over the legitimate and justified patrols by Chinese coast guard vessels near the Diaoyu Islands, reiterating that the islands and their adjacent waters are China's inherent territory.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning made the remarks after Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru said Japan had lodged a protest with the Chinese side over the patrol.

Mao said at a regular news briefing in Beijing that China "does not accept Japan's unreasonable representations and has rejected them on the spot and lodged counter-representations."

"The Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands are China's inherent territory. Patrols and law enforcement activities conducted by China Coast Guard vessels in China's territorial waters are legitimate and justified," she said.

Mao urged Japan to honor the four-point principled agreement reached between the two countries, respect China's territorial sovereignty, and refrain from interfering in China Coast Guard operations.

She also called on Tokyo to avoid taking any actions that could "lead to an escalation of the situation".