BEIJING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Friday asked the Philippines to immediately stop its acts of infringement and provocation after several Philippine vessels illegally intruded into China's territorial waters off Huangyan Dao and created a complex and tense situation at sea.

Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said these actions have seriously violated China's sovereignty and interests, posed a grave threat to the safety of personnel on Chinese ships, and severely undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Jiang made the remarks in response to a question about a reported ramming incident between ships in relevant waters.

Jiang said that on Aug. 11, several Philippine Coast Guard and other official vessels illegally intruded into Chinese territorial waters off China's Huangyan Dao. Chinese Coast Guard ships responded in accordance with the law by tracking, monitoring, intercepting and taking control measures to drive the vessels away.

During the process, the Philippine side repeatedly engaged in hazardous maneuvers, including high-speed charges and sharp turns toward the bows of Chinese ships, leading to a complex and tense situation, Jiang said.

China reserves the right to take necessary countermeasures, and will firmly safeguard its national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the spokesperson said. Enditem