By Reuters

BEIJING — The China Coast Guard said on Thursday it monitored and blocked two Philippine vessels that “intruded into” waters near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea despite repeated warnings.

“We urge the Philippines to immediately cease its infringing and provocative actions,” a China Coast Guard statement said while reaffirming China’s sovereignty over the disputed shoal.

The Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.