Thousands of people in at least three Chinese cities protested Saturday against Japan over its control of the Senkaku Islands, which China claims and calls Diaoyu Islands, according to official media and other sources.

Thousands marched through the main streets of Chengdu, capital of the southwestern province of Sichuan, from around 2 p.m., unfurling banners and shouting "Defend the Diaoyu Islands," "Fight Japan" and other slogans, Xinhua news agency reported.

It said the protest ended at about 3:30 p.m. with no reports of violence.