China says moves on Philippine ships in South China Sea 'professional, restrained'

Philippine Coast Guard personnel riding on a pontoon, with goods collected from the civilian boat ML Showee (back), to the Philippine-held Nanshan island in the disputed South China Sea on Monday, Dec 11, 2023. A convoy of civilian boats planning to deliver provisions to Filipino fishermen and troops in the disputed South China Sea aborted the trip on December 10 after "constant shadowing" by Chinese vessels, the organiser said. - AFP

BEIJING (AFP): China said on Monday that moves by its Coast Guard against Philippine vessels in the disputed South China Sea were "professional" and "restrained", adding it had "lodged stern representations" with Manila.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing's Coast Guard "took necessary measures against the Philippine ships in accordance with domestic and international law".