A Chinese surveillance fleet patrolling waters near the Diaoyu Islands successfully expelled several Japanese ships illegally entering the waters on Tuesday morning, a statement released on the official website of the State Oceanic Administration said on Tuesday.

The Japanese ships were detected during patrols by Haijian 51, 23 and 46, and the administration immediately asked the Haijian 50, 15, 49, 66 and 137 on patrol in the East China Sea to join the fleet.

The eight patrol ships were divided into four fleets to supervise and record the illegal behavior of the Japanese ships, according to the statement.

China has carried out consistent patrols near the Diaoyu Islands since September when Tokyo “illegally purchased" three of the islands. The State Oceanic Administration has been releasing patrol updates to the public on its website since then.