Japan has released footage showing Chinese vessels intruding into its territorial waters near the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

The footage, which was recorded between August 5 and August 9, was posted on Japan Foreign Ministry's and Coast Guard's website on Monday. The footage shows some Chinese government and fishing vessels moving around the Senkaku Islands. The Japanese Coast Guard is also shown ordering the Chinese boats to vacate the area.

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"There are approximately 200 to 300 fishing vessels operating in the contiguous zone of the Senkaku Islands, and a large number of Chinese government vessels, in this case as many as 15, congregated in the same waters," Japan's foreign ministry said in a statement.

"There are usually around three Chinese government vessels deployed in the contiguous zone of the Senkaku Islands, and four or five Chinese government vessels deployed in the area surrounding the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea," the statement added. "Chinese government vessels currently deployed to the area around the Senkaku Islands is far higher than the numbers above."

Japan, China, and Taiwan have competing claims of ownership over the Senkaku Islands. The uninhabited islands are currently under the control of Japan. China and Japan have been engaged in a bitter maritime dispute over the East China Sea.

Last week, Tokyo announced its plan to develop a new land-to-sea missile to increase its maritime defense capabilities in the wake of China's growing 'aggression' in the East China Sea. The Shinzo Abe government will use the new missile to protect its territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands.

TagsJapan, china, East China Sea, senkaku, Chinese ships