The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on January 20 expelled a Philippine government aircraft that illegally intruded into the territorial airspace over China's Huangyan Dao without the approval of the Chinese government, a spokesperson said.

Air Force Senior Colonel Tian Junli, spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command, said that the naval and air forces dispatched by the theater command warned and expelled the Philippine aircraft in accordance with law and regulations.

The Philippine action has severely infringed upon China's sovereignty and gravely violated the relevant provisions of Chinese law and international law, Tian said.

"Huangyan Dao is China's inherent territory. We urge the Philippine side to stop immediately infringing upon China's rights, making provocations and to cease irresponsible hype," the spokesperson added.