Photo: Screenshot from the official WeChat account of the CCG

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command and the China Coast Guard (CCG) issued separate statements on Friday, announcing that they had they had taken necessary measures to expel Philippine small aircraft and vessels that recently illegally intruded into the airspace of China's Huangyan Dao and the waters off Xianbin Jiao, respectively. 

The PLA Southern Theater Command organized naval and air forces to track and monitor, sternly warn, and resolutely expel several small aircraft of the Philippines in accordance with laws and regulations after they illegally intruded into the airspace of China's Huangyan Dao in recent days without authorization from the Chinese government, Senior Colonel Tian Junli, a spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command, said in a statement on Friday.

Huangyan Dao is an integral part of China's territory, Tian said, adding that "We sternly warn the Philippines to immediately cease its infringement and provocations." 

The troops of the PLA Southern Theater Command remain on high alert at all times and will resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and security as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea region, Tian stated.

Also on Friday, Liu Dejun, a CCG spokesperson, said that the CCG took necessary control measures, including issuing verbal warnings and expelling by external means, in accordance with laws and regulations against multiple batches of Philippine vessels that deliberately intruded into the waters adjacent to Xianbin Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao under the pretext of fishing, despite repeated dissuasions and stern warnings from the CCG.

China holds indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Qundao, including Xianbin Jiao, and their adjacent waters, Liu said.

The CCG will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement activities in waters under China's jurisdiction in accordance with the law, resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, Liu added.

Global Times