The director of China’s State Oceanic Administration says the Ieo Islet is within Chinese jurisdiction and under regular surveillance of Chinese radar and aircraft.

Liu Cigui made the comment in an interview with China’s state-run Xinhwa News Agency on March third. He said China had formed a monitoring system of surveillance vessels and aircraft for the waters surrounding the islet.

Liu’s remarks are interpreted as China’s intent that it will not sit idly by and watch South Korean activity on the islet. South Korea has been conducting scientific research after setting up an ocean research center on the islet.

China has repeatedly claimed its jurisdiction over the Ieo Islet region, raising territorial dispute with South Korea over the South Korean territory. The Chinese State Oceanic Administration staked its territorial claim to the islet in its Web site in December 2007.

The Ieo Islet is a submerged rock formation located about 150 kilometers southwest of Jeju Island. It is within South Korea's exclusive economic zone.