1st LD-Writethru: China drives away Philippine vessels intruding into Huangyan Dao waters: spokesperson

BEIJING, July 23 (Xinhua) -- China Coast Guard's (CCG) actions to drive away two Philippine government vessels that intruded into China's territorial waters off Huangyan Dao on Thursday were professional, standard-compliant, legitimate and lawful, according to a CCG spokesperson.

Jiang Lue, spokesperson for the CCG, said the two Philippine vessels had ignored China's repeated dissuasion and warnings before intruding into the waters.

The CCG took necessary measures in accordance with the law, including tracking, intercepting and expelling the vessels, Jiang said.

Huangyan Dao is an inherent territory of China, Jiang said, urging the Philippines to immediately stop its infringing and provocative acts.

Jiang stressed that the CCG will continue to carry out law enforcement activities in the waters off Huangyan Dao in accordance with the law, and will resolutely defend the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. Enditem