China has strengthened controls in the Huangyan Island waters in response to the provocative actions of the Philippines, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Wednesday.

Hong said that there are about 20 Chinese fishing boats operating in the Huangyan Island waters, roughly the same number as in previous years.

"The operating manners of the fishing boats is consistent with China's relevant laws as well as China's fishing moratorium orders," he said, rejecting some Philippine media reports which said China had sent nearly 100 vessels to the waters.

China has been implementing a summer fishing moratorium, lasting from May 16 to August 1, in some parts of the South China Sea, as a routine annual measure to rehabilitate marine resources.