ISTANBUL 

China said Thursday it warned off two Philippine aircraft from the territorial airspace above disputed waters in the South China Sea, according to state-run Xinhua News.

China Coast Guard (CCG) spokesman Liu Dejun said that the agency tracked, monitored and warned off the aircraft from the disputed Huangyan Dao, “in accordance with the law and regulations.”

Liu accused the Philippines of engaging in “provocations” under various “unfounded” pretexts, which undermine China’s “sovereignty” and “regional peace and stability.”

Calling on the Philippines to immediately halt its “infringements, provocations, agitation,” Liu underscored that the CCG will continue to safeguard Beijing’s national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

The Philippines did not respond to the claims at the time of this report.

China claims sovereignty over Huangyan Dao, a disputed territory with the Philippines that is also known as the Scarborough Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc.

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