China to defend sovereignty in SCS after US military ‘plans’

An angry China on Wednesday said it will resolutely defend its territorial sovereignty in the South China Sea after reports said the US plans to ramp up its military presence in the region in a bid to confront Beijing’s claims over the islands in the disputed area.

The US needs to clarify the reported remarks by a US official on the issue and that countries should avoid “risky and provocative approaches to <g data-gr-id="19">maintain</g> the regional peace and stability,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

She was reacting to US official’s remarks that the Pentagon was exploring options of sending Navy surveillance aircraft and vessels to “assert freedom of navigation” around the islands China has rapidly built recently to reinforce its claims in the strategically vital region.

Hua said China has always advocated freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

“But freedom of navigation does not give one country’s military aircraft and ships free access to another country’s territorial waters and airspace,” she said.

Hua said China will resolutely safeguard its territorial sovereignty and urged the US not to take any risks or make any provocations so as to maintain regional peace and stability.

“We express serious concern about the US remarks,” Hua told reporters at a news briefing.