Briefly

CCG expels two Philippine vessels

The China Coast Guard said on Thursday that it expelled two Philippine government vessels that intruded into the waters near Huangyan Island in the South China Sea. Jiang Lue, a spokesman for the CCG, 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 CCG 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. Huangyan Island is China's inherent territory, he said, urging the Philippine side to immediately stop its infringing and provocative actions. The CCG will continue to conduct rights-protection and law-enforcement operations in the waters around Huangyan Island in accordance with the law, Jiang said.

Fishery survey east of Taiwan completed

Marine scientists have completed a weeklong fishery resources survey in waters east of Taiwan, collecting biological and environmental data to support the conservation and sustainable management of fisheries in the region, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. The survey, conducted from Friday to Thursday, was carried out by the Lanhai 201 research vessel operated by the East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute at the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, the ministry said on Thursday. The waters east of Taiwan are rich in marine biodiversity and are an important spawning ground for commercially valuable species, including tuna. Researchers applied a multidisciplinary approach during the expedition, collecting samples of fish, cephalopods and crustaceans, along with environmental DNA samples. They also gathered data on fisheries acoustics, hydrology and meteorological conditions. The survey is expected to provide a more comprehensive understanding of fishery resources in the area and strengthen the scientific foundation for resource conservation and management, the ministry said.

CHINA DAILY