The Chinese navy has expelled a Dutch frigate from the South China Sea after it "illegally" entered Chinese waters around the Paracel Islands, the Chinese military's Southern Theater Command reported on Wednesday.
The region is claimed by Taiwan and by Vietnam as well as by China.
China termed the actions of the Dutch frigate a serious violation of China's territorial sovereignty and a breach of basic standards in international relations. It said the Dutch had repeatedly sent up helicopters that had penetrated Chinese airspace.
The Chinese statement said that Chinese naval and air forces had used acoustic warnings and digital jamming.
The Dutch Defence Ministry did not comment on the incident. "The frigate is operating on the basis of international law," a naval spokeswoman told dpa. She referred to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The frigate in question is believed to be the ZM De Ruyter, which left the Netherlands at the beginning of April. The ministry said it is equipped with an NH90 naval helicopter and its mission was to join international exercises with allies in South-East Asia to ensure security in strategic waterways.
Chinese forces have for years been behind incidents in the South China Sea, which China claims. International courts have rejected the claims.
Two years ago, two Chinese combat jets circled the Dutch frigate ZM Tromp in the East China Sea.