The China Coast Guard (CCG) monitored and tracked a Philippine aircraft airdropping supplies to the illegally grounded warship BRP Sierra Madre on January 21 and took provisional measures that were professional and legitimate, a spokesperson for the CCG said on Saturday.
China urged the Philippines to stop provocations and media hype and China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Ren'ai Jiao, and its adjacent waters, spokesperson Gan Yu added in a statement.
The Philippines' actions seriously infringe on China's territorial sovereignty, gravely violate the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and severely undermine regional peace and stability, added Gan.
The CCG will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement activities in waters under China's jurisdiction in accordance with the law and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, according to the statement.
