China: Three Philippine vessels expelled from disputed island in the South China Sea

Beijing, July 24 (KUNA) -- China announced on Friday the expulsion of three Philippine vessels from the territorial waters of a disputed island in the South China Sea, affirming that “Philippine actions dangerously violated China’s sovereignty.” China Central Television (CCTV) quoted Jiang Liwei, spokesperson for the China Coast Guard, in a statement saying that Manila dispatched seven official vessels, three Philippine Coast Guard ships, and a fishing transport vessel, and “incited” a large number of fishing boats to gather “illegally” in the territorial waters of Huangyan Island, which the Philippines calls Scarborough Shoal. Jiang explained that the Philippine official vessels bearing registration numbers 3001, 3005, and 3017 insisted on intruding into the island’s territorial waters, ignoring warnings from the China Coast Guard, prompting its forces to take necessary measures in accordance with the law, including “verbal warnings, interception, control, and the use of water cannons to drive them away.” He affirmed that “the Philippines sent vessels to intrude into the waters surrounding Huangyan Island on consecutive days over the past two days, after violently attacking China Coast Guard law enforcement personnel near Ren’ai Jiao.” (End) S.L.Q./T.M.A.