Beijing urges Washington to "be cautious in words and actions in regard to the Diaoyu Islands issue", the Ministry of National Defense said on Friday, a stern warning over recent remarks by a top United States Navy official.

Harry Harris, commander of the US Pacific Command, spoke about Chinese territory in the East China Sea on Wednesday at a Washington think tank event.

Referring to the islands, Harris said: "We will clearly defend them if they are attacked by China," Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported. In a written reply to China Daily on Friday, the Chinese ministry said: "China has taken notice of the relevant report," adding that the Chinese military's determination to safeguard regional peace and stability is "unswerving".