Beijing: Four Philippine Ships Expelled for Violating Chinese Waters

The Chinese Coast Guard announced the expulsion of four Philippine ships that violated Chinese waters in the Renai Reef area on Saturday. A spokesperson for the Chinese Coast Guard, Jan Yu, stated in an interview with the Chinese newspaper "China Daily" that "without the approval of the Chinese government, two Philippine supply ships and two Philippine Coast Guard ships illegally entered the waters adjacent to Renai Reef, in the Nansha Islands, China on Saturday." He noted that "the Chinese Coast Guard conducted the necessary control in accordance with the law and prevented the Philippine vessels carrying illegal construction materials." The spokesperson urged the Philippines to immediately cease its intrusive activities in the waters, asserting that China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and the surrounding waters, including Renai Reef. Earlier, the Philippine Coast Guard announced that one of its ships had been approached dangerously by a Chinese Coast Guard vessel, which used water hoses during maneuvers in the Ayungin Shoal area in the South China Sea.