China expels two Philippine govt vessels intruding into Huangyan Island waters

China Coast Guard said on Thursday that it expelled two Philippine government vessels that intruded into the waters off of Huangyan Island in the South China Sea.

Jiang Lue, spokesman for the China Coast Guard, said in a statement that two Philippine government vessels, No 3012 and 3018, intruded into waters under China's jurisdiction near Huangyan Island despite repeated dissuasion and warnings from the Chinese side.

The China Coast Guard took necessary measures in accordance with the law — including tracking and monitoring the vessels, pressing them outward, and blocking and controlling their movements — before expelling them from the area, Jiang said.

The on-site operations were professional, standard, justified, and lawful, he noted.

Huangyan Island is China's inherent territory, he said, urging the Philippine side to immediately stop its infringing and provocative actions.

The China Coast Guard will continue to conduct rights-protection and law-enforcement operations in the waters around Huangyan Island in accordance with the law and will resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, Jiang said.