China asks Philippines to stop territorial infringements

China urged the Philippines to stop infringements as 6 individuals from the Philippines illegally landed on the Tiexian Reef on Sunday.

Chinese Coast Guard law enforcement officials lawfully went on the reef to investigate and handle the situation, its spokesperson Liu Dejun said in a statement.

China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Tiexian Reef, and its surrounding waters, Liu said, adding that the actions of the Philippines violate China's territorial sovereignty, contravene the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and disrupt peace and stability in the South China Sea.

"We urge the Philippines to immediately cease their infringements. The Chinese Coast Guard will continue to carry out law enforcement activities to safeguard rights in China's jurisdictional waters," he said.