The Chinese military followed, monitored, warned and blocked a Philippine vessel in accordance with law after it illegally entered the waters around the Huangyan Island in the South China Sea without approval on Monday, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command said in a statement.

Tian Junli, a spokesperson for the theater command, said that the Philippines' maneuvers had severely infringed on China's sovereignty and gravely violated international law and the norms governing international relations. 

China urged the Philippine side to immediately stop infringement and provocations and avoid the escalation of situation, the statement said.

The theater command will remain on high alert and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and peace and stability in the sea, Tian added.