China conducts patrol near disputed islets amid tensions with Philippines

ANKARA

China said Friday that its coast guard carried out a patrol near disputed islets in the South China Sea amid ongoing tensions with the Philippines.

The China Coast Guard (CCG) said it conducted a law enforcement patrol in the territorial waters and surrounding areas of China’s Huangyan Dao, according to the Global Times.

"Since October, the CCG has continuously strengthened law enforcement patrols in the island's waters, carrying out tracking and monitoring, radio warnings, and the interception and expulsion of vessels and aircraft involved in illegal intrusion and provocation, in accordance with laws and regulations," the China Coast Guard said in a statement.

"These actions further enhance control and management of the relevant maritime areas and firmly safeguard China’s national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," said the statement.

The Philippines had not responded to the CCG’s latest statement at the time of publication.

China claims sovereignty over Huangyan Dao -- also known as Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc -- a territory also claimed by the Philippines.

The shoal has long been a flashpoint in maritime disputes between Beijing and Manila.