China expels Philippine vessels illegally entering waters around Huangyan Dao

BEIJING, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Monday expelled multiple Philippine coast guard vessels and public service vessels from the territorial waters around China's Huangyan Dao in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, a CCG spokesperson said.

The Philippine vessels insisted on intruding into the area in the South China Sea under the pretext of supplying fishing boats, disregarding China's repeated dissuasion and warnings, said spokesperson Gan Yu.

In response, the Chinese side took necessary measures -- including tracking, monitoring and blocking -- to expel the Philippine vessels. All on-site actions were professional, standardized and legitimate, Gan noted.

"Huangyan Dao is China's inherent territory," the spokesperson emphasized. "The CCG will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement activities in the waters of Huangyan Dao to resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests." ■