China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying, noting the construction works were reasonable and lawful, and not directed against any country.
China's purpose is to perfect the functions of those islands and reefs, and improve the working and and living conditions of its personnel stationed on those islands, said Hua at a routine press briefing.
She said the construction and maintenance works will enable China to further safeguard its territorial sovereignty as well as maritime rights and interests.
They will also help China to fulfill its international responsibilities in the areas of maritime search-and-rescue, disaster prevention and mitigation, marine research, meteorological observation, environmental protection, navigation security and fishery production.
Hua reiterated China's adherence to a peaceful development path and defensive national defense policy.
"We are in favor of solving disputes with directly concerned countries through negotiations and working with ASEAN countries to jointly safeguard peace and stability of the South China Sea," she said.
Hua said some countries had taken double standards regarding the construction works of China and other related countries in China's Nansha Islands. She did not name a specific country.
"We hope countries concerned would honor their commitments of not taking sides on the South China Sea issue, and do more to help regional peace and stability," said the spokesperson.
After reclaiming the islands and reefs of Nansha Islands, their functions will become integrated and comprehensive, she said, adding that they will not only serve necessary needs of military defense, but are more for civil demands.
The South China Sea is far from the continent and dotted with shipping lanes and fishing grounds, she said, adding that the area has been strongly affected by the monsoon climate, which cause frequent shipwrecks.
Through the construction and maintenance works China will provide necessary assistance for vessels sailing on the South China Sea, she said.
The services may include shelter, aid in navigation, weather forecasts and fishery assistance, according to Hua.
China's construction works on the islands and reefs have undergone scientific assessment and feasibility studies, and have strict standard and requirement for environmental protection, she said.
"We have taken into consideration issues including the ecological environment and fishery protection, in order not to pose any harm to the eco-system of the South China Sea," said the spokesperson.
China will continue its environmental monitoring and protection efforts in related waters, islands and reefs, she added.
Xinhua - china.org.cn
10/4/15
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Related:
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China says island, reef construction in South China Sea lawful, justified
Senate Demands Formal US Strategy to Stop China in South China Sea (video)
China asks US to stop interfering in maritime disputes
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Obama says China bullying smaller nations in South China Sea row ...
ReplyDeleteUS president Barack Obama said Washington is concerned China is using its “sheer size and muscle” to push around smaller nations in the South China Sea, just hours after Beijing gave a detailed defence of its creation of artificial islands in the contested waterway.
China’s rapid reclamation around seven reefs in the Spratly archipelago of the South China Sea has alarmed other claimants, such as the Philippines and Vietnam, and drawn growing criticism from US government officials and the military.
While the new islands will not overturn US military superiority in the region, workers are building ports and fuel storage depots and possibly two airstrips that experts have said would allow Beijing to project power deep into the maritime heart of Southeast Asia.
“Where we get concerned with China is where it is not necessarily abiding by international norms and rules and is using its sheer size and muscle to force countries into subordinate positions,” Obama told a town-hall event in Jamaica on Thursday ahead of a Caribbean summit in Panama...............theguardian.com
10/4/15