The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Sunday conducted law enforcement patrols in the territorial waters around China's Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas in the South China Sea.

The CCG said in a statement that since March, it has stepped up patrols in the area, handling illegal and infringing vessels according to law and regulations, while intensifying control over relevant maritime zones to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime interests.

On the same day, naval and air units of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command also carried out combat readiness patrols in the territorial waters and airspace of Huangyan Dao and surrounding areas.

Stressing that Huangyan Dao is an inalienable part of China's territory, the command said its naval and air forces have strengthened readiness patrols since March and conducted tracking, monitoring, warning and expelling operations in line with laws and regulations.

"Such patrols serve as an effective countermeasure to cope with all sorts of rights-violation and provocative acts," it said.

(With input from Xinhua)