China Coast Guard drives away Philippine vessels over 'provocative actions'

The China Coast Guard drove away multiple batches of Philippine vessels over "provocative actions" in waters near Xianbin Reef in the South China Sea on Friday, a spokesman said on Friday evening.

Liu Dejun, the spokesman, said several Philippine vessels, under the pretext of fishing, deliberately sailed into waters near Xianbin Reef in China's Nansha Islands to engage in "provocative actions", despite repeated dissuasions and warnings.

The coast guard took necessary control measures in accordance with the law, including verbal warnings and forced expulsion of the Philippine vessels, he said.

China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Xianbin Reef, and their adjacent waters, the spokesman stressed.

The coast guard will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement operations in waters under China's jurisdiction in accordance with the law, resolutely safeguarding national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, he said.