The China Coast Guard lawfully responded to a number of vessels from the Philippines that acted illegally close to the Houteng Reef within the South China Sea on Thursday, stated the China Coast Guard on Saturday.
Gan Yu, the CCG spokesperson, stated in an announcement that “the Philippine aspect on Thursday organized a number of vessels to illegally function close to Houteng Reef in China’s Nansha Islands.
“The China Coast Guard dealt with the state of affairs in accordance with the regulation and laws, with skilled and normal procedures on the scene,” he stated, stressing that China has indeniable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjoining waters, together with Houteng Reef.
Gan emphasised that the Philippine authorities vessels, underneath the guise of “defending fisheries”, illegally infringed and provoked, organized media to intentionally hype and mislead, and constantly disrupted the soundness of the South China Sea.
“We warn the Philippine aspect that any infringement ways are futile,” he stated.
He warned that the CCG will conduct regulation enforcement and rights safety actions within the waters underneath China’s jurisdiction as regular, resolutely safeguarding territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and pursuits.
