China defends South China Sea projects as ‘lawful’

China on Sunday defended as “lawful and justified” the construction of major infrastructure projects in the disputed islands and reefs of the South China Sea (SCS) and said it was merely building facilities in its own yard.

During his annual media briefing here on Sunday on the sidelines of the legislative session, the National People’s Congress (NPC), Foreign Minister Wang Yi also said its multi- billion Silk Road and Maritime Silk Road projects are different from the post-war United States’ Marshall Plan aimed at assisting its allies.

“China is carrying out necessary construction on its own islands and reefs. The construction does not target or affect anyone.

“We have every right to do things that are lawful and justified,” Wang said.

China claims sovereignty over almost all of the SCS, which is hotly contested by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

He said China will continue to uphold freedom of navigation in the SCS and to peacefully resolve disputes through direct dialogue and consultation.

On the Silk Road and Maritime Silk Road (MSR) for which China set up a USD 40 billion fund, Wang said the initiatives were different from the US Marshall Plan launched after the World War II.