Chinese coast guard expelled Philippine vessels around Scarborough Shoal

China's coast guard said on Monday it took necessary measures to expel Philippine vessels from waters around Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.

The coast guard said in a statement it monitored and intercepted the Philippine vessels after they ignored warnings, and forced them away from the waters in an operation it said was "professional, standardised, legitimate and legal".

The Philippine embassy in China did not immediately respond to an emailed query about the incident.