China urges Philippines to halt provocations around Huangyan Island

China has urged the Philippines to immediately stop provocative infringements after an official Philippine vessel deliberately rammed a China Coast Guard ship in China's territorial waters near Huangyan Island in the South China Sea on Tuesday morning.

"The move seriously violated China's sovereignty and rights, and severely undermined peace and stability at sea," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular news briefing in Beijing.

Lin said that China's necessary measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests are indisputable.

Lin added that it has been once again demonstrated that Manila's deliberate provocations and infringements at sea are the root cause of current tensions, urging the Philippine side to immediately stop such acts and not test China's firm resolve to safeguard its lawful rights.