Three natives from East China's Jiangxi Province protest before the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on Friday over Japan's recent seabed exploration for natural resources at a disputed section of the East China Sea. (China Daily/newsphoto)

Forty-four Chinese people protested before the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on Friday after Japan's sea bed exploration for natural resources at a disputed section of the East China Sea on Wednesday.

These protesters come from different areas throughout the nation and after the rally, some of them rode bicycles around the city carrying placards.

A Japanese Embassy official accepted a written protest which says "we strongly call for the Japanese Government to immediately stop illegal actions on Chinese territory and demand an apology from Japanese authorities."

Japan launched the exploration on Wednesday in the disputed waters to the east of so-called "medium line" which was unilaterally proposed by the Japanese side, reports said.

China warned on Thursday it "retains the right to take further actions" on Japan's recent sea bed exploration.

Japan contends that it is drawn at equal distances from the shores of the two countries. But China maintains the border is where the continental shelf ends.

The Chinese side has always maintained that the East China Sea should be a peaceful, stable area that can benefit both sides.

"China is watching closely the latest progress of the issue," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue at a news conference in Beijing.

Source: China Daily