Tensions have flared up again between Tokyo and Beijing after #Chinese ships and a flotilla of #Japanese activists both arrived in the waters near a group of disputed islands.

The two countries have been at odds over the small rocky islands in the East China Sea after Japan purchased some in September, drawing anger from Beijing and anti-Japanese demonstrations across China.

No clashes were reported between the flotilla of 10 #boats carrying about 80 nationalist activists, escorted by Japan's Coast Guard vessels, and the Chinese ships.

But the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the trip by the activists was "illegal" and "trouble-making" while Japan has summoned the Chinese ambassador to Tokyo.

The Japanese Coast Guard said eight Chinese maritime surveillance ships had entered the waters near the uninhabited islands.

China's State Oceanic Administration said three of its ships were on "regular patrol duty" in the area when they encountered several of the Japanese ships.

It said five more Chinese ships were sent to the region in order to respond.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe insisted the island chain remains under the "active control" of Tokyo and vowed to "expel by force" any Chinese landing on the islands.

However, Japan's Coast Guard appeared keen on avoiding confrontation, urging the activists' boats to leave and escorting them away.

The territorial dispute has brought Chinese-Japanese relations to their lowest points since normalisation over 40 years ago.

It has escalated to the point where both countries have scrambled fighter jets while patrol ships shadow each other, raising fears that an unintended collision could lead to a broader clash.

The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and as Diaoyu in China, are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and thought to be located near untapped energy reserves.

They are also claimed by Taiwan, where they are known as Tiaoyutai.

Adding to the tensions, a group of Japanese lawmakers on Tuesday visited a shrine in Tokyo seen by Asian neighbours as a symbol of Tokyo's militaristic past.

The 168 lawmakers attended the Yasukuni Shrine, which honours Japan's war dead, including 14 leaders convicted as war criminals.

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