BEIJING — Thousands of Chinese protested against Japan and its claim to disputed islands at demonstrations Saturday that were far larger than past protests over the competing territorial claims.

Photographs from the southwestern city of Chengdu and the central city of Zhengzhou showed hundreds of people marching with banners and signs protesting Japan's claim on what China calls the Diaoyu islands. Japan calls them the Senkaku islands.

Japanese retailers Ito-Yokado and Isetan said protesters in Chengdu broke windows and showcases in their stores, Kyodo News agency reported.

China's state-run Xinhua News Agency said more than 2,000 people protested in Chengdu and thousands of college students gathered in the northern city of Xian.

Protests in China are often quickly shut down or heavily controlled. It was not clear whether the organizers had permission to demonstrate Saturday.

The Chinese demonstrations appeared to be in response to online reports about the planned protest in Tokyo.