The Chinese Coast Guard's expulsion of Philippine vessels that intruded into waters near Huangyan Island in the South China Sea was legitimate and lawful, the China Coast Guard said.

On Tuesday, two Philippine vessels— one Coast Guard vessel and one public service vessel— persisted in intruding into the waters off Huangyan Island despite repeated dissuasion and warnings from China. Gan Yu, the CCG spokesperson, responded in a statement on Tuesday afternoon.

He said that the CCG took necessary measures in accordance with the law, including monitoring, warning with water cannons, blocking and controlling, to drive away the vessels that illegally trespassed, adding that "the acts were professional, legitimate and lawful."

"What the Philippines did has violated China's sovereignty and seriously violated international law and the basic norms governing international relations," he said, urging the Philippine side to immediately stop the infringing action.

He stressed that China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Island and its adjacent waters, as well as sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters.