Beijing: China's military has expelled a Philippine naval vessel that illegally intruded into the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao on Sunday, according to a Chinese military spokesperson.

According to Qatar News Agency, Senior Captain Zhao Zhiwei, spokesperson for the navy of the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), stated that the theater command organized forces to lawfully track, monitor, issue warnings, and expel the Philippine vessel, which entered the territorial waters of Huangyan Dao without authorization from the Chinese government.

The Philippine actions severely violated China's sovereignty and contravened both Chinese law and relevant provisions of international law, Zhao noted.

"We sternly warn the Philippines to immediately cease its infringements and provocations; otherwise, it will bear full responsibility for all consequences," Zhao emphasized.

Zhao also mentioned that forces of the Southern Theater Command remain on high alert at all times to resolutely defend national sovereignty and security and firmly uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea region.