China coast guard says Philippine personnel ignored warnings and 'illegally' landed on reef

China's coast guard said a number of Philippine personnel ignored its warnings and illegally landed on a reef that is part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea on March 21. "China firmly opposes the Philippine act, which violates China's territorial sovereignty, and undermines peace and stability in the South China Sea," said a spokesperson for the coast guard in a statement on Thursday.

"We urge the Philippine side to immediately stop the infringements."