The People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command on Friday monitored and warned off a Philippine aircraft that illegally entered China's airspace near Meiji Reef in the Nansha Islands, a military spokesperson has said.

Zhai Shichen, spokesperson for the command, said in a statement that a Philippine C-208 aircraft entered the area without permission from the Chinese government.

In response, the PLA Southern Theater Command deployed air and naval and forces to track, monitor and warn off the aircraft in accordance with the law, Zhai said.

Insisting that the actions of the Philippine aircraft violated China's sovereignty, Zhai added: "We urge the Philippine side to immediately stop its infringements and provocations, and work together to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea region."