BEIJING, Feb.18 -- "On February 18, a Philippine C-208 reconnaissance aircraft illegally intruded into China's territorial airspace over Huangyan Dao without permission of Chinese government. Moreover, the Philippine side spread false narratives by talking black into white," said Air Force Senior Colonel Tian Junli, spokesperson for Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command (STC), in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the spokesperson, the navy and air force troops of the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command tracked and monitored the Philippine reconnaissance aircraft in accordance with law and regulations, and expelled it.
The spokesperson added that the Philippines' move has seriously violated China's sovereignty, as well as international law and relevant provisions of Chinese law. Huangyan Dao is China's inherent territory. The Philippines' attempt to pursue its illegal sovereignty claim with military provocations and mislead the international understanding by hyping up is doomed to fail.
The spokesperson stressed that the troops assigned to the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command will remain on highly alert to resolutely safeguard China's national sovereignty security and peace and stability in the South China Sea.