On July 7, 2004, Japan conducted its seabed survey in the disputed sea area to the east of its unilaterally proposed "medium line" of the East China Sea. On the same day, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi urgently summoned Japanese Ambassador to China Koreshige Anami and make solemn representations to Japan over this question.

Wang Yi indicated that the sea border of the East China Sea has not been decided and China and Japan have disputes over this issue. The so-called "medium line" is only Japan's unilateral proposition that China has never recognized and couldn't either. China will never accept Japan's act of imposing its own proposition over others and such a provocative act, which China resolutely opposes, is very dangerous.

Wang Yi stressed that the demarcation in the East China Sea can only be addressed through negotiations, which are the only right choice. China strongly demands Japan comply with principles of international law and stop its act of imperiling China's sovereignty, rights and interests in the disputed sea area immediately.