BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- China’s State Oceanic Administration says allegations that a Chinese marine surveillance ship took aim at a ese fishing boat are "groundless rumor."

A Japanese weekly reported that the Chinese marine surveillance ship Haijian 66 aimed a machine gun at a Japanese fishing boat earlier in February. The State Oceanic Administration said the marine surveillance fleet was conducting regular patrols after detecting intrusions by a Japanese fishing boat in waters surrounding the .

The fleet was not armed with any heavy weaponry and the actions it took against the Japanese vessel were legal and justified. The Oceanic Administration also said that the Japanese politicians and media vilifying China’s marine surveillance activities are jeopardizing bilateral relations.

(Source: CNTV.cn)