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China says its coast guard has taken “control measures” against a Philippine vessel that approached a disputed atoll in the South China Sea, according to Chinese state media.
“The Philippine vessel 3002 illegally entered waters near Xianbin Reef in the Nansha Islands without permission from the Chinese government,” CCTV said, using the Chinese names for the disputed Sabina Atoll and the Spratly Islands.
The ship then “continued to come dangerously close to a Chinese coast guard vessel that was carrying out routine operations,” the source said.
The Chinese coast guard took “control measures against the Philippine vessel in accordance with law and regulations,” he added.
China claims sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea, despite a 2016 international resolution invalidating that claim.
The Philippines and China have clashed several times in recent months in these waters, where several coastal countries claim sovereignty.
The Philippine government on Saturday accused China’s air force of firing flares at one of its aircraft on patrol in the area.
The day before, Beijing adopted “countermeasures” after two Philippine military aircraft flew over its airspace in the same area on August 22.
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