5 July 2012 Last updated at 01:12 ET

Newspapers report Beijing's vow to defend its sovereignty over the disputed Senkaku Islands, after a Taiwan-led protest near the archipelago was intercepted by Japanese coast guards.

Taipei maintains a claim over the islands in parallel with Beijing. The islands are known as Diaoyutai in Taiwan and Diaoyu in mainland China.

"We have already urged the Japanese side to refrain from taking action that could endanger lives and property, including those of our Taiwanese compatriots," said Liu Weimin, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman, quoted by China Daily and the Beijing Times.

Activists from Taiwan sailed to the islands on Wednesday morning under the escort of five patrol boats from the Taiwan Coast Guard, the Global Times and Guangzhou's Southern Metropolis Daily reported.

Japan's diplomatic representatives in Taipei have lodged a protest with the foreign ministry, reports the Taipei Times.

An editorial in Wen Wei Po - Hong Kong's pro-Beijing newspaper - says Beijing and Taiwan should make a concerted effort to protect their sovereignty over the islands, which are controlled by Japan.

Hong Kong's Ming Pao Daily News and Sing Tao Daily continue coverage of the mass protest in Shifang, saying people were still demanding the release of all detained protesters.

A Global Times bilingual editorial says local authorities should investigate the clash thoroughly and make the findings public.

"The legal responsibility of the six protesters, especially the three in criminal detention, has to be based on facts and be decided by law," it said.

Originally posted here:

China media: Islands protest