BEIJING - China will continue to oppose any infringement on the country's sovereignty over territorial waters by Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines, director with the State Oceanic Administration said on Thursday.

"Faced with a sharper and more complicated situation, we will take more responsibilities to steadfastly maintain the country's maritime rights and interests," director Liu Cigui said at a national conference on maritime work.

China will continue to carry out regular patrols over territorial waters off China's Diaoyu Islands and the South China Sea, the administration said.