The China Coast Guard vessel Hebao lawfully expels a Philippine ship in the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Island, the South China Sea, Feb 21, 2026. Several Philippine ships illegally gathered and entered China's territorial waters near Huangyan Island on Saturday. The ships were lawfully expelled by the formation of Chinese Coast Guard vessel Wanshan. [Photo/Xinhua]

The China Coast Guard on Saturday drove away Philippine vessels that illegally intruded into China's territorial waters off Huangyan Island in the South China Sea.

Several Philippine vessels gathered and illegally entered the waters near Huangyan Island at around midday on Feb 21. The Philippine vessels photographed Chinese ships and made dangerous maneuvers by crossing the routes of CCG ships that were on patrol. The Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4409 was also observed loitering at a distance.

After repeated verbal warnings were ignored, the CCG vessels took regulatory steps in accordance with the law, including water cannon warning sprays and navigation route control, ultimately driving away the Philippine vessels.

Xinhua learned from the CCG on-site duty fleet that the CCG exercised restraint and acted rationally throughout the process, with all measures fully compliant with international law.

Despite recent severe weather and frequent maritime accidents in Huangyan Island waters, the Philippines has assembled a large number of vessels in this sensitive area, using the pretext of "escort" and "rights protection" to stage a show, the CCG said.

China has consistently fulfilled its maritime rescue responsibilities, but will never allow any country to infringe upon its sovereignty under any pretext, it added.