China warns off Philippine aircraft

China warned off Philippine aircraft in the airspace of Huangyan Island on Saturday, the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army said in a statement.

A Philippine Air Force NC-212 aircraft illegally intruded into the airspace of China's Huangyan Island in the South China Sea, despite repeated warnings from the Chinese side, disrupting China's normal training activities, the statement said. The Southern Theater Command organized maritime and aerial forces to lawfully conduct identification, verification, tracking, monitoring and warning, which was professional and following norms and legality, it said.

"We warn the Philippines to immediately stop their infringement, provocation, distortion and hype. China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Island and its adjacent waters," it said, adding that the forces in the theater remain on high alert at all times, resolutely defending national sovereignty and security, and firmly upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea region.