BEIJING - Chinese administrative ships are still keeping watch over waters near Huangyan Island according to law enforcement needs, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said Tuesday.

Liu made the remark in response to a statement issued by the Philippine Foreign Ministry stating that administrative vessels from both countries have left the area.

China has been keeping direct contact with the Philippines to solve the Huangyan Island dispute appropriately, Liu said.

Liu said no Philippine administrative ships remain in the Huangyan Island's lagoon.

"Chinese fishing vessels in the lagoon are operating under normal conditions," Liu said.