BEIJING -- A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry on Monday said that compatriots across the Taiwan Strait should work together to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, placing the Chinese nation's sense of honor at the forefront.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks during a regular press briefing when commenting on a question about Taiwanese fishing boats sailing to the Diaoyu Islands.

Hong added that compatriots from both sides of the Strait should jointly safeguard the overall and fundamental interests of the Chinese nation.

China's resolve and will to safeguard its national territorial integrity is firm, Hong said, noting that Chinese maritime surveillance ships have been patrolling and conducting law enforcement activities, and will continue to do so, in waters surrounding the Diaoyu Islands in an exercise of the country's jurisdiction.