BEIJING - China has asked the Philippines to stop its infringement activities and withdraw its coast guard vessel in the lagoon of the Xianbin Jiao at once, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

The spokesperson made the remarks when asked to comment that a Philippine coast guard vessel has recently been anchoring in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao.

Xianbin Jiao is part of China's Nansha Qundao, the spokesperson said. The Philippine vessel entered the lagoon of the Xianbin Jiao without permission and has been there for a long time, which seriously infringes on China's sovereignty, violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and threatens the peace and stability in the South China Sea.

China has lodged solemn representations with the Philippines through diplomatic channels and asked the Philippines to stop its infringement activities and withdraw the vessel at once, said the spokesperson.

ALSO READ: The South China Sea, a volatile patch where China’s sovereignty is solid

China is closely monitoring the developments and will take resolute measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and uphold the sanctity of the DOC, said the spokesperson. 

Huangyan Dao

Also on Friday, Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said China's joint naval-air combat patrols near Huangyan Dao are legitimate operations intended to protect its rights and interests, and respond to contingencies and preserve regional stability.

Huangyan Dao is a part of China's inherent territory, and the South China Sea is a shared home for countries in the region, rather than a hunting ground for external forces, Zhang said when commenting on a recent joint patrol that the United States, the Philippines, Australia and Canada conducted in the South China Sea.

READ MORE: China warns off Philippine aircraft

Zhang criticized the Philippines for colluding with countries outside the region to undermine regional peace and stability, and accused the outside countries -- the United States, in particular -- of ganging up and provoking troubles.

China will continue to take firm, necessary measures against provocations that violate its sovereign rights and interests, and that harm regional stability, he added.