China has asked Japan to refrain from taking any action that could endanger the safety of the lives and property of Chinese citizens going to the Diaoyu Islands, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a press statement Wednesday.

It has been reported that the Hong Kong-based Action Committee for Defending the Diaoyu Islands sent a vessel to the Diaoyu Islands on Wednesday.

"China is paying close attention to the developments of relevant issues, and it has expressed its serious concerns over the issues to the Japanese side," Qin said in the statement issued in response to a media request to comment on the report.

He said China's position on the Diaoyu Islands issue remains "clear and resolute."

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2012)