China is investigating a prostitution solicitation case involving a group of Japanese in Zhuhai City of Guangdong Province, south China, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Sunday.

When asked to comment on the case, Kong Quan said that those activities violated Chinese law and are "extremely odious."

Kong said Chinese departments concerned are digging into the case and will treat it according to law.

"Foreigners in China must abide by Chinese laws," Kong said, urging the Japanese government to enhance education of its people to that end.

(Xinhua News Agency September 29, 2003)