Coast Guard expels Philippine vessels intruding into Chinese waters

China Coast Guard said it expelled multiple Philippine vessels which intruded into waters around Huangyan Island in the South China Sea on Monday.

Gan Yu, a spokesman for the China Coast Guard, said that on Monday, the Philippines organized several coast guard and official vessels to "insist on intruding into" the waters near China's Huangyan Island, under the pretense of supplying fishing boats.

The Philippines vessels ignored the repeated dissuasion and warnings from the Chinese side, he said.

In accordance with the law, the China Coast Guard took necessary measures such as tracking, monitoring and blocking to drive away the Philippine vessels, the spokesman said.

Gan noted that the operations on-site were professional, standardized, justified and lawful.

Huangyan Island is an inherent part of China's territory, he stressed. 

"The China Coast Guard will continue to conduct rights protection and law enforcement activities in the waters of Huangyan Island in accordance with the law, resolutely safeguarding national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," said Gan.