China urges Philippines to cease maritime infringements

China is urging the Philippines to cease maritime infringements over what Manila is calling a floating structure on Huangyan Island in the South China Sea.

The Philippines Foreign Affairs department says it lodged a protest over the structure with personnel near the atoll.

Manila had said it would not allow China to turn the Island into a base.

However, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson says the country has indisputable sovereignty over the Island and its adjacent waters and that conducts including scientific research are the legitimate rights of the sovereign state.