PLA warns Philippine jets that illegally entered airspace over Huangyan Island

The People's Liberation Army has warned several Philippine aircraft that recently illegally entered the airspace over China's Huangyan Island in the South China Sea, a Chinese military spokesperson said on Friday.

Tian Junli, a spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command, said in a statement that multiple Philippine light aircraft recently entered the airspace without permission from the Chinese government.

In response, the theater command organized naval and air forces to track and monitor the aircraft, issue strong warnings, and drive them away in accordance with the law and relevant regulations, Tian said.

The spokesman stressed that Huangyan Island is China's inherent territory and warned the Philippine side to immediately stop its infringement and provocations.

The theater command forces remain on high alert and will resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and security, as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea, Tian said.