China's foreign ministry on Sunday protested Indonesian navy warships' harassment of Chinese fishermen in the South China Sea.

Chinese fishing boats were harassed and shot at by several Indonesian naval vessels in the South China Sea on Friday. One crew member was injured, while one fishing boat was detained with a crew of seven on board.

"China strongly protests and condemns such excessive use of force," spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a press release.

The incident took place in a traditional Chinese fishing ground where China and Indonesia have overlapping maritime rights claims, the release stated.

Indonesia's actions violated international laws, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and harmed the lives and property of Chinese fishermen, Hua said.

"China urges Indonesia to stop taking action that escalates tension, complicates issues, or affects peace and stability," Hua said.