Geng: South China Sea Islands are “China’s inherent territory”
Monitoring Desk
Friday - December 16, 2016
BEIJING (China): Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang addressing a regular press conference on Thursday held, “I need to reiterate that islands in the South China Sea are China’s inherent territory” adding “It’s completely normal for us to build facilities and deploy necessary defence equipment there, a right of a sovereign state recognised by international law.”
China’s deployment of necessary defence facilities on its own territory has nothing to do with the so-called militarisation.
China is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea with relevant Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.
At present, thanks to the concerted efforts of China and relevant ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea has been stabilised and is improving.
We hope that the relevant country can respect the efforts made by China and ASEAN countries and sustain the positive momentum in the South China Sea.
Besides, if China’s building of normal facilities and deploying of necessary defence equipment on its own islands is counted as militarisation, then how do you categorise driving fleets to the South China Sea.
We hope that relevant parties, especially non-regional countries, can respect this and the efforts made by China and ASEAN countries, and preserve and consolidate the sound momentum.
We also hope that the United States (US) can honour its pledge of not taking sides on the sovereignty disputes over the South China Sea.
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