BEIJING – The Philippines should immediately halt its infringement activities and provocations, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Spokesperson for the ministry Lin Jian made the remarks at a regular press briefing when answering a query related to recent incidents in the waters of Huangyan Dao.

Noting that Huangyan Dao has always been China's territory, Lin said relevant Philippine vessels deliberately intruded into the waters. "It's legitimate and lawful for China to take necessary measures to safeguard its rights and security, which is professional, standard and beyond reproach," Lin added.

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The same day, the China Coast Guard took necessary measures to drive away Philippine vessels that illegally intruded into China's territorial waters of Huangyan Dao, said Jiang Lue, a spokesperson for the CCG, vowing to resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests

The spokesperson said in a statement that the Philippine side organized seven government vessels, three coast guard ships and one fish carrier, and instigated a large number of fishing boats to illegally congregate in waters under the jurisdiction of China's Huangyan Dao.

Three Philippine government vessels ignored repeated warnings and dissuasion from the CCG and insistently intruded into China's territorial waters of Huangyan Dao, Jiang said.

The CCG took necessary measures, including verbal warnings, blockade and control, and water cannon spraying, to resolutely drive away the Philippine vessels in accordance with the law, Jiang said, adding that the on-site operations were professional, standardized, legitimate and lawful.